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THE 



MODERN BETHESDA, 

OR 

THE GIFT OF HEALING RESTORED. 

BEING 

SOME ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE AND LABORS 

OF 

Dr. J. R. NEWTON, Healer. 

WITH 

OBSERVATIONS ON THE NATURE AND SOURCE OF THE HEAL- 
ING POWER, AND THE CONDITIONS OF ITS EXERCISE, 

Notes of Valuable Auxiliary Remedies. Health Maxims, etc- 
Edited by A. E. NEWTON. 



" Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed and walk. And immediately the man was made 
whole." — John v. 8, 9. 

" He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also, and greater than these shall he 
do." — Jesus. John xiv. 12. 

"And these signs shall follow them that believe ; . . . . they shall lay hands on the sick, and 
they shall recover." — Thb Same. Mark xvi. 18. 



WAoJtr 



NEW YORK: > 



NEWTON PUBLISHING COMPANY. 



.NS 



Copyright. 

By 

NEWTON PUBLISHING COMPANY. 

1S79. 



PREFACE. 



In the Gospel according to John we are informed that anciently 
there was " at Jerusalem, by the sheep-maiket, a pool, which was 
called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In 
these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, 
waiting for the moving of the water. For," we are told, " an angel 
went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the 
water : whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped 
in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had." (John v. 2-4.) 

Bethesda signifies, literally, House of Mercy, or of Pity. 

Even in the days of Jesus, this ancient Bethesda was evidently 
quite inadequate to the demands made upon it. And in later times 
its healing virtue seems to have become quite exhausted. Its 
porches have disappeared : the angel comes no more to trouble its 
waters. A recent traveller informs us that on his visit to Jerusalem, 
in September, 1873, he found in its place but " a dirty sunken cess- 
pool, with simply a show of shallow, turbid water." * 

Is there not need, then, of a Modern Bethesda, where the ills 
of suffering humanity may be removed ? 

The Great Healer of Judea, at whose word the impotent man, 
long waiting vainly in the porches of the ancient pool, was made 
instantly whole, taught the existence of an exhaustless fountain of 
Healing Power, everywhere accessible to u them that believe." 
Modern experience is proving that this same fountain of Curative 

* " Around the World," by J. M. Peebles, 1875. 



4 PREFACE. 

Energy is still available, on the same conditions. This is the 
Modern Bethesda of which this volume treats. 

The nature and source of this Healing Power, and the conditions 
on which it is available, are to some extent indicated in the pages 
which follow. 

The main object of this work is to put on permanent record 
such facts and testimonies as shall serve to furnish to the present 
and future generations irrefutable proof of the reality of the " Gift 
of Healing." It will also afford some idea of the extent of the 
beneficent work performed by one among many modern healers. 

It should be added, however, that the record herein presented 
is by no means full. No memoranda have ever been made of a 
large proportion of the cures effected by Dr. J. R. Newton — many 
of the beneficiaries objecting to any public use of their names ; and, 
of such records as were made, numbers have been lost in the healer's 
jpurneyings from place to place in pursuance of his work. 

From the materials preserved a selection has been made for 
this volume of such as would present a large variety of well-authen- 
ticated cases. These have been grouped in chapters, with refer- 
ence more to locality than to chronological order, though the latter 
has been observed so far as practicable. 

This book is not intended as an advertisement, since its prepa- 
ration was not undertaken until after Dr. Newton had determined 
to retire from his laborious practise and spend the remainder of his 
years in the repose of private life. The importunities of the suffer- 
ing, however, together with the feeling that he has no right to 
allow the power given him for their relief to lie unused, have led 
him to reconsider that determination, so far as to continue the 
treatment of patients at a distance by means of magnetized letters, 
as set forth in Chapters XI. and XIX. of this work. 

The Editor. 



CONTENTS. 



Introduction 8 

CHAPTER I. 
Biographical ... 29 

CHAPTER II. 
Beginning of Public Career 33 

CHAPTER III. 
The Healer in Boston 37 

CHAPTER IV. 
In New York City « 44 

CHAPTER V. 
In Philadelphia 56 

CHAPTER VI. 

In Baltimore, Md. ; New Haven and Hartford, Ct. ; and 

Springfield, Mass 7$ 

CHAPTER VII. 

Valuable Remedies and Health Maxims 92 

CHAPTER VIII. 

The Healer in Rochester and Auburn, N. Y., Havana, 

Cuba ; New Orleans ; Savannah, Chicago 97 

CHAPTER IX. 
In New York City, again in 

CHAPTER X. 

In Utica, Troy, Elmira, and Buffalo, N. Y. ; Toledo and 

Columbus, O. ; and other western cities 127 



5 CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

CHAPTER XI. 
Healing at a Distance 139 

CHAPTER XII. 
The Healer " in his own Country" 155 

CHAPTER XIII. 
Echoes from Foreign Lands 181 

CHAPTER XIV. 
The Gift of Healing and Modern Spiritualism — 189 

CHAPTER XV. 
The Old Cry — "He Hath a Devil!" 200 

CHAPTER XVI. 
The Healer in Europe 206 

CHAPTER XVII. 
In the Provinces 234 

CHAPTER XVIII. 
Some English Views. — Farewell to England 253 

CHAPTER XIX. 
Again in America 272 

CHAPTER XX. 
Reminiscences of Dr. Newton, by his former Secretary. 291 

CHAPTER XXI. 
Raising the Dead, etc 302 

CHAPTER XXII. 

Faith, Hope, and Love, as Curative Agencies. — Why some 

are not Healed 308 



INTRODUCTION. 



That the power to cure disease through the laying on of 
hands, or the spoken word, or by other means aside from materia 
medica administered by the professional physician, once existed 
among men, is devoutly believed at least by all who credit the 
New Testament histories. Jesus of Nazareth is by the Christian 
world unquestioningly accredited with the possession of that power 
in an unlimited measure, and with its exercise during his earthly 
ministry, in hundreds and thousands of cases, to the relief of the 
sick and suffering of that time. And he is further believed to have 
conferred the same power upon others, his immediate disciples, 
who continued to exercise it after his departure, and to some ex- 
tent transmitted it to their converts and successors. Indeed, Jesus 
himself is recorded as having declared that they who believed in 
him (without exception, or limitation as to time) should be attended, 
among other "signs," by this healing power, and do even greater 
works than he himself had wrought. (Mark xvi. 18, and John 
xiv. 12.) 

It is further conceded by most Christian authorities that the 
exercise of this healing power or " gift " continued in the church, 
to some extent, from one to three centuries after the crucifixion of 
its founder. Large and important branches of Christendom, indeed, 
as the Syrian, Greek and Roman churches, have maintained that 
this power has never been lost, but has been exercised, occasionally 
at least, in their respective communions, by " saints " and favored 
ones, even down to the present day. Some testimonies on this 
point will be hereinafter cited. 

The Protestant section, however, in general, has distinguished 



8 INTRODUCTION. 

itself by taking the ground that this " gift " ceased to De conferred 
on believers after the third century, if not earlier ■ and that its 
lestoration is never to be expected. Some noted divines, in fact, 
have gone so far as to hold that no "miracles," of any kind, were 
performed after the days of the Apostles, and but few by them — all 
testimony to the contrary being set down to the credit of " supersti- 
tion, credulity and ignorance." They have thus greatly strengthened 
the hands of those materialists and skeptics who reject totally the 
New Testament histories on the same grounds ; for it is difficult 
for rational men to see why the later testimonies should be wholly 
discredited, and the more remote unquestioningly received. 

And to justify this flat contradiction of the promises of Jesus, 
Protestant divines have invented the plausible theory, that these 
" miracles" so called, were inte?ided o?ily for the establishment of Chris- 
tianity i?i the world, and whe?i that was accomplished the power to per- 
form the??i was withdrawn. 

That this is a mere after-thought, brought forward by degener- 
ate professors of Christianity, to avoid the confession that they 
lack both the "faith " and the " signs " spoken of by Jesus, would 
seem evident to every unprejudiced reader of his words. For he 
gave no hint that his promise was for a limited period only, but 
on the contrary is reported as saying, " Lo, I am with you " — not 
for three centuries, but — " alway, even unto the end of the world." 
(Matt, xxviii. 20.) 

To assume, as the theory in question does, that Jesus and his 
Apostles wrought the cures attributed to them solely or chiefly for 
the purpose of establishing in the world a system of doctrines, is 
not very creditable to either their humanity or their honesty. 
Jesus is represented in the gospels as being " moved with compas- 
sion" for the afflicted, and as "touched with the feeling of our in- 
firmities." He is said to have repeatedly and strictly charged those 
whom he healed to " tell no man." Shall we, in the face of such 
testimonies, believe that he had no human sympathy for the suf- 
ferers he relieved ? — that he coldly calculated merely on the credit 
he should receive for each "miracle" performed? and that he 
really meant the subjects of his power should all do as some of 
them did, despite his charge — " so much the more spread his fame 
abroad ? " This is asking quite too much. Besides, Jesus him- 



INTRODUCTION Q 

self taught, according to the record, that " great signs and wonders," 
i. e., miracles, did not prove the divine mission of those who wrought 
them. He warned his disciples against false Christs and false 
prophets who should come doing such things. (See Matt. xxiv. 
24 ; Mark xiii. 22.) In fact, as all may see, a marvellous, inexpli- 
cable performance, seemingly contrary to nature, can never prove 
the truth of any moral principle or spiritual law taught by the per- 
former. Such principle or law must be true in itself, or no amount 
of " miracle " can make it so. 

But if any part of the purpose of the " gift of healing " was to 
relieve the sufferings of mankind, then surely there has been no 
less occasion for its exercise in the world since the first or the third 
century, even to the present time, than existed in the days of Jesus' 
personal ministry. Even our boasted advance in medical science 
and sanitary knowledge has not yet by any means rendered such 
works of mercy uncalled for in this world. The catalogue of 
patients who have " suffered many things of many physicians, and 
have spent all that they had, and are nothing bettered, but rather 
grow worse " (Mark v. 26), is far from being exhausted ! 

And, again, were it true that the chief purpose of those marvel- 
lous powers in the early days was to establish in the minds and 
hearts of men the truths which Jesus taught, there is scarcely less 
occasion for their display in this nineteenth century than there was 
in the first. Certainly, at no past age within historic periods has 
there prevailed materialism more stolid, unbelief in spiritual reali- 
ties more deeply intrenched, or indifference to the soul's highest 
welfare more profound, than characterize multitudes even in nom- 
inal Christendom to-day. If the Almighty Father ever compassion- 
ated the ignorance, blindness and infirmities of his children, and 
condescended to meet the needs of their low estate, in any past age, 
it would be difficult to show why, as a Being of unchanging good- 
ness, he should not continue to do the same at the present time. 

Surely, then, as reasonable beings, we must look elsewhere than 
to the favorite theory of these sadducean Protestant divines for the 
truth in this matter. 

It is the purpose of these introductory pages to adduce some of 
the evidences which go to show, in contravention of the theory 
alluded to, that the marvellous healing powers, as well as other " gifts 



10 INTRODUCTION. 

of the spirit," displayed in the primitive Christian age, have never 
been wholly lost to or withdrawn fro?n the world, but have continued 
to be enjoyed wherever the requisite human conditions for their exercise 
have existed. 

Should this point be established, it will follow that, in so far as 
these so-called miraculous powers have ceased to be exhibited in 
any age or section of Christendom (as notably among most Prot- 
estant sects), it has been because of a lack of either that special 
kind of faith indicated by Jesus, or some other condition essential 
to their exercise. 

HEALING IN THE FIRST SIX CENTURIES. 

The historic evidences that the healing power and other "spir- 
itual gifts " of primitive Christianity did not wholly cease with the 
Apostolic age, nor even in the third century — in other words, that 
the promise of Jesus to those who believe, did not fail — have been 
so fully collated by that well-known and universally respected 
English author, Mr. William Howitt, and presented in his " His- 
tory of the Supernatural " (first published in London, and after- 
wards in this country by Lippincott & Co., Philadelphia, 1863), 
that we need do little more than offer a few citations in point from 
his pages. We quote, italicizing some passages of special note : 

" All the fathers of the first six centuries declare, more or less, the existence of 
miracles in the church. * * * Justin Martyr, who was born near the end of the 
first century, and died later than the middle of the second — namely, in 161— in 
contending with the unbelieving Jews, says, that the Incarnation took place 'for 
the sake of unbelievers, and for the overthrow of evil spirits ; ' and he adds, 
4 You may know this from what now passes before your eyes ; for many de- 
moniacs all over the world, and in your own metropolis, whom none other ex- 
orcists, conjurors, or sorcerers have cured, these have many of our Christians 
cured, adjuring by the name of Christ, and still do acre: * And again, ' With 
us, even hitherto, are prophetic gifts, for which you Jews ought to gather that 
what formerly belonged to your race is transferred to us.' In another place he 
says, ' With us may be seen both males and females, with gifts from the Spirit 
of' God.' 

" Irenaeus, who lived at the end of the second century, and suffered martyr- 
dom in 202, speaks most plainly, as quoted by Eusebius (v. 214, of English 
translation) : 'Far are they— the churches — from raising the dead in the manner 

* It should be recollected that in those times many diseases were attributed (perhaps cor- 
rectly) to possession by evil spirits, or demons — Ed. 



INTRODUCTION. II 

the Lord and his Apostles did, by prayer ; yet even among the brethren fre- 
quently, in a case of necessity, when a whole church has united in much fasting 
and prayer, the spirit has returned to the exanimated body, and the man has 
been granted to the prayer of the saints.' Again, p. 215, ' Some most certainly 
and truly cast out demons, so that frequently those persons themselves that were 
cleansed from wicked spirits, believed, and were received into the church. 
Others have the knowledge of things to 'come, as also visions and prophetic 
communications. Others heal the sick by the imposition of hands, and restore them 
to health. And, moreover, as we said above, even the dead have been raised, 
and continued with us many years. And why should we say more ? It is im- 
possible to tell the number of gifts which the church throughout the world re- 
ceived from God, and the deeds performed in the name of Jesus Christ, who 
was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and this too every day for the benefit of the 
heathen, without receiving or exacting any money. For as she freely received, 
she also fieely ministers.' In another place Irenaeus savs : ' We hear of many 
of the brethren in the church who have prophetic gifts, and who speak in all 
tongues through the Spirit, and who also bring to light the secret things of men 
for their benefit, and who expound the mysteries of God.' " — Vol.1, pp. 440-1. 

" Eusebiusadds the reason why these gifts had declined in the church in his 
time — namely, not that the heritage of miracle had ceased, but that the churches 
were 'unworthy' of them (p. 215). Yet in his own times, the commencement of 
the fourth century, he says in his ' Theophaneia ' (p. 300 of translation), ' Who 
is he who knows not how delightful it is to us that through the name of our 
Saviour, coupled with prayers that are pure, we cast out every kind of demon ? ' " 
— lb. p 441. 

" Tertullian, the most celebrated father of that age for eloquence, in his work 
'De Anima,' says, ' We had a right, after what was said by St. John, to expect 
prophesyings ; and we not only acknowledge these spiritual gifts, but we are 
permitted to enjoy the gifts of a prophetess. There is a sister amongst us who 
possesses the faculty of revelation. She commonly, during our religious service 
on the Sabbath, falls into a crisis or trance. She has then intercourse with the 
angels, sees sometimes the Lord himself, sees and hears divine mysteries, and 
discovers the hearts of some persons ; and administers medicine to such as desire 
it ; and when the Scriptures are read, or psalms are being sung, or prayers are 
being offered up, subjects from thence are ministered to her visions.' " — lb pp. 

442-3- 

"Tertullian gives us a bold proof of his confidence in the spiritual power of 
Christians If a man, he says, calls himself a Christian, and cannot expel a 
demon, let him be put to death on the spot/' — p. 444. 

" St. Cyprian, who was a pupil of Tertullian, and suffered martyrdom in 
A. d. 258, * * * declares that the word of the Christian exorcist burned 
evil spirits. ' There is no measure/ he says, ' or rule in the dispensation of the 
gifts of heaven, as in those of the gifts of earth. The spirit is poured forth 
liberally, without limits or barriers. It flows without stop, it overflows without 
stint.' By this, he says, they cleansed unwise and impure souls, restored men to 
spiritual and bodily health, and drove forth demons who had violently made lodg- 



12 INTRODUCTION. 

ment in men, smiting them by the spirit and scorching them with its fire." — 

P. 445- 

" Origen, who was contemporary with Cyprian, says, ' There are no longer 
any prophets nor any miracles amongst the Jews, of which there are large 
vestiges amongst the Christians ; ' namely, in the middle of the third century. 
Gregory, Origen's pupil, and Bishop of New Caesarea in Pontus, was so famous 
for his miracles that he was styled Thaumaturgus, or Wonder-Worker. * * * 
Origen arguing against Celsus (hi. 24), says, 'By the use of the name alone of 
God and Jesus, we too have seen many set free from severe complaints ; from loss 
of mind, from madness, and numberless other such evils, which neither man nor 
devils had cured.' " — pp. 446-7. 

" St. Ambrose, who lived to the end of the fourth century, * * * in his 
fourth epistle says, ' You know ye yourselves saw that many were cleansed from 
evil spirits, very many on touching with their hands the garments of the saints 
were delivered from the infirmities which oppressed them. The miracles of the old 
time are come again, when by the advent of the Lord Jesus a fuller grace was 
shed on earth.' 

" St. Augustine, who lived to near the middle of the fifth century (a. d. 430), 
bears ample testimony to the continuance of the miraculous power in the church 
then. In particular he relates the case of Innocentia, a religious woman, who 
in her sleep was ordered to go to the font where she had been baptized, and 
there to mark with a cross her breast affected by a cancer, pronounced by the 
physicians incurable, and that it was inimediately healed. He relates twenty 
miracles, including the restoration of a child to life within two years, at the 
shrine of St. Stephen. 

" St. Jerome, also living in the fifth century, relates numerous miracles, such 
as the restoration of the sight of a woman who had been blind for ten years ; 
the instant cure of the bites of serpents, of paralytic persons, of the casting 
out of devils, &c. Sulpicius, in his dialogues and life of St. Martin, in the fifth 
century, relates a number of miracles which he professes to have seen himself. 

" We might thus proceed through all the fathers of the first five centuries ; 
the statements are precisely the same." — pp. 447-8. 

" So much for the Christian fathers ; but it is not in the fathers only that 
the miracles of the first six centuries of Christendom are maintained. We turn 
to the whole series of the historians of the church through those ages, and the 
affirmation is the same. As in all the pagan world of all times, so in all the 
Christian Church, there is but one voice in the matter. We have a series of five 
historians of the church, reaching from the apostolic times to the end of the 
sixth century — Eusebius, Socrates Scholasticus, Sozomen, Theodoret, and 
Evagrius. Eusebius quotes Hegisippus and Papias, who went before him; 
Socrates, Sozomen, and Theodoret all treat of nearly the same period of time, 
from about 300 A. d. to 445 ; Evagrius advances from 431 to 594 a. d. ; yet all 
maintain the same great doctrine of the copious existence and free exercise of 
the miraculous power in the church during those six centuries. To state, even 
in brief terras, the whole of these miracles, would fill a large volume." — 
pp. 453-4. 



INTRODUCTION. 1 3 

IN THE SYRIAN AND GREEK CHURCHES. 

The same author cites abundant evidences to show that the 
ancient faith in miraculous powers, including that of healing, con- 
tinues to this day in the Syrian and Grecian branches of the 
Christian Church. A modern history of the Russian section of 
the Greek Church, by M. MouravierT, has been, within a few years, 
translated into English by an English clergyman and scholar. Mr. 
Howitt says : 

" Warnings received in divine and prophetic declarations by eminent prelates, 
as well as cases of miraculous cure at the tombs, or from the prayers of holy men, 
the successful drawing of lots laid on the altar, and like proofs of spiritual inter- 
vention, will be found numerously throughout Mouravieff." — Vol. II. p. 47-8. 

IN THE ROMAN CHURCH. 

That the Roman Church, which is by far the largest branch of 
nominal Christendom, has ever claimed, and still claims, to be the 
repository of all spiritual gifts, that of healing not excepted, is 
doubtless known to all readers. It is common, however, for Prot- 
estants to regard all Romanist accounts of marvels with especial 
distrust and incredulity, as either the inventions of crafty priests 
or the exaggerations of superstition. A due degree of caution and 
discrimination should undoubtedly be exercised in accepting mar- 
vellous accounts from this as from all other sources, whether 
ancient or modern. But there are histories which cannot be re- 
jected, except upon such principles as would destroy the credibility 
of all human testimony. And it is a rational and safe rule that 
we may give credence to any alleged facts, however marvellous, 
honestly related to have taken place in other countries or ages, that 
are paralleled by facts coming under our observation, or affirmed by 
credible testimony of our own times. In so far then as Romanist 
" miracles " of healing, or of any other class, are of the same 
essential nature with occurrences amply established as taking place 
among us to-day, we are fully justified in yielding them credence. 
If in any respect they go beyond our personal observation or ex- 
perience, or that of credible witnesses of our own time, and assert 
events improbable in themselves, we may justly withhold our 
credence and wait for further proof. 

It is by no means to be inferred, however, that the occurrence 



14 INTRODUCTION. 

of these marvels — or " miracles," if any prefer the term — estab- 
lishes the truth of all or any of the doctrines or theoretical opinions 
held by those among whom they take place. Far from it. As be- 
fore remarked, moral and spiritual truths are true in and of them- 
selves, and no amount of marvellous attestation can make a false 
doctrine true or a true doctrine false. " Mighty works " prove 
only the power and skill of the workers, whether visible or invisi- 
ble — nothing more. If the works are good, then we may reason- 
ably infer that they spring from beings of good-will ; if evil, then 
from those having evil design. But persons moved by the best 
intentions may, nevertheless, be mistaken in many of their theoret- 
ical opinions. It may yet appear that the possession of a peculiar 
kind or quality of faith (not correct opinions on general theological 
questions) is the main essential requisite for the enjoyment of the 
gift of healing. 

With these preliminaries, we will quote a few of the testimonies 
on record regarding the exercise of the gift of healing in the 
Roman Catholic Church, in mediaeval and more modern times. 
After mentioning several of the female " saints " of the church 
who manifested remarkable powers, Mr. Howitt continues : 

" Such also was St. Hildegarde, a woman of wonderful vision, which she 
was'tommanded by an inward voice to communicate, and equally wonderful 
powers of healiiig. For the greater part of her life, which was in the twelfth 
century, she was confined to her bed, and suffered incredible pains, yet she be- 
came the oracle of princes and bishops by her spiritual insight, amounting to 
actual prophecy. She had even predicted the exact time of her own death, 
though she lived to be old. She possessed the same faculty as Zschokke in re- 
cent times, of reading the innermost thoughts — nay, the very life, past and 
future, of those she was in company with, which, however, she revealed only to 
her confessor. The list of her cures is extensive, and comprehends a variety of 
diseases, some of which she cured at a distance by sending to the patients holy 
water. She had the faculty also of appearing to persons at a distance, a 
phenomenon which, in modern times, perhaps has astonished psychologists more 
than any other. In her clairvoyant state, she said that her spirit-vision knew no 
bounds ; it extended itself over various nations, however distant. ' These 
things, however,' she said, ' I do not perceive with my outer eyes, nor hear with 
my external ears, nor through the thoughts of my heart, nor by means of any 
comparison of my five senses ; but in my soul alone, with open eyes, without falling 
into ecstasy ; for I see them in my waking state, by day and by night.' " — History, 
Vol. I., p. 494. 

Such statements may seem incredible to readers who have never 



INTRODUCTION. 1 5 

experienced or witnessed any thing of the kind for themselves. But 
the author quoted states that he is personally acquainted with 
ladies possessing similar gifts ; so also is the editor of these pages, 
and so, doubtless, are many who will read them. Such will have 
no difficulty in crediting the history of St. Hildegarde. Again : 

" The Roman Catholic Church can enumerate a great number of persons en- 
dowed with healing powers. Amongst the most remarkable of such therapeu- 
tists may be mentioned the following : — St. Patrick, the Irish apostle (claimed, 
however, by the ancient British Church), healed the blind by laying on of his hands. 
St. Bernard is said to have restored eleven blind people to sight, and eighteen 
lame persons to the use of their limbs, in one day at Constance. At Cologne, to 
have healed twelve lame, to have caused three dumb persons to speak, ten who 
were deaf to hear ; and when he himself was ill, St. Laurence and St Benedict 
are said to have appeared to him, and to have cured him by touching the part 
affected. Even his dishes and plates are said to have cured sickness after his 
death ! * Sts Margaret. Catherine, Elizabeth, Hildegarde, and especially the 
holy martyrs Cosmas and Damianus, belong to this class. Among others they 
freed the Emperor Justinian from an incurable sickness. St. Odilia embraced 
a leper, who was shunned by all men, warmed him, and restored him to health. 

" The saints of the ancient British Church, St. Columbo, St. Columbanus, 
Aidan, Scotus Erigena, Claude Clement, and others, possessed the like divine 
power. * * * The pious Edward the Confessor cured diseases by the touch ; 
and hence the practice handed down till recent times of the kings of England 
touching for the king's evil. In France the same practice was inherited from 
Philip I., and continued till the Revolution. Amongst the German princes this 
power was ascribed to those of the house of Hapsburg, and they are said to 
have cured stammering by a kiss. The Salmadores and Ensalmadores of Spain 
were celebrated for healing almost all kinds of diseases by prayer and by the 
breath. Michael Medina and the child of Salamanca performed numerous such 
cures; and the innkeeper Richter, at Royen in Silesia, cured, in the year 1817-18, 
many thousands of sick persons in the open field, by laying on of hands." — lb. 
PP 505-6. 

A more recent healer in the Roman Catholic Church was a 
priest by the name of Gassner, who, in the latter half of the 
18th century, created an intense and extensive excitement by his 
remarkable cures in Switzerland : 

" I give the account just as Dr. Ennemoser has abridged it from Dr. Schlisel's 
narrative, as an eye-witness : Gassner, a clergyman from the country of Bludenz, 
in Vorarlberg, healed many diseases through exorcism. In the year 1758 he 

* This is no more wonderful than cures by "magnetized letters," magnetized (or "holy") 
water, or other articles, in modern times, of which we shall have testimonies in the following 
pages. — Ed. 



1 6 INTRODUCTION. 

was the clergyman of Klosterle, when, by his exorcisms, he became so celebrated 
that he drew a vast number of people to him. The flocking of the sick from 
Switzerland, the Tyrol, and Swabia, is said to have been so great that the 
number of invalids was frequently more than a thousand, and they were manv 
of them obliged to live under tents. * * * 

" Gassner's mode of proceeding was as follows : He wore a scarlet cloak, 
and on his neck a silver chain. He usually had in his room a window on his 
left hand, and a crucifix on his right. With his face turned towards the patient, 
he touched the ailing part, and commanded that the disease should manifest 
itself ; which was generally the case. He made this both cease and depart by a 
single command. By calling on the name of Jesus, and through the faith of the 
patient, he drove out the devil and the disease. But every one that desired to 
be healed must believe, and through faith any clergyman may cure devilish dis- 
eases, spasms, fainting, madness, Sec, or free the possessed. Gassner availed 
himself sometimes of magnetic manipulations ; he touched the affected part, 
covered it with his hand, and rubbed therewith vigorously both head and neck. 
* * * Physical susceptibility, with willing faith and posinVe physical activity, 
through the command of the Word, was thus the magical cure with him" — Vol. 
I., pp. 122-3. 

A still more recent case, with which we will conclude these 
citations from Roman Catholic sources, was that of the Cure 
D'Ars, near Lyons, in France : 

"The Cure D'Ars died early in 1S59. He had for above thirty years aston- 
ished all France by the continued series of miracles occurring through him in his 
parish of Ars, not far from Lyons." " His cures were so marvellous that omni- 
buses were established to run regularly from Lyons to his house." . ... 
" The Cure was hotly opposed and calumniated for a long time, even by his fel- 
low-clergvmen. The miraculous events continually taking place at Ars were 
represented as impudent impostures, and he was assailed as a hypocrite, a cheat, 
a fanatic; in short, he went through the usual ordeal on all such occasions. Yet 
the bitterest enemies were compelled to confess themselves mistaken after proper 
examination ; and the facts related in his history were familiar to hundreds of 
thousands, and made fully known in the face of all France. For thirty- years, 
20,000 persons annually, of all ranks, and from every country in Europe, flocked 
to Ars. His church was densely crowded day and night; and the Cure, it is 
asserted, allowed himself only four hours' sleep each night, his endurance being 
the greatest miracle. These are not facts of the past, but of the present age, 
capable of being tested." — lb., pp. 514-15. 

HEALERS IN THE PROTESTANT CHURCH. MARTIN LUTHER. 

Closing these citations of testimony relative to the elder branches 
of the Christian Church — not for lack of material, but for want of 
soace — let us turn to the more modern Protestant section. Here 



INTRODUCTION. 17 

we shall find that the leading spirits of the Reformation, in their 
undiscriminating zeal against the many superstitious follies and 
falsities of Rome, unfortunately rushed to the opposite extreme. 
Assuming the position that all " miracles " or " spiritual gifts " 
ceased with or soon after the apostolic age — a position which closed 
their own minds, and those of their adherents to a large extent, 
against that " faith " which is a necessary condition of these "gifts" 
— they paved the way for that skeptical materialistic philosophy 
which has so generally prevailed in Protestant communities. " So 
profoundly," says Howitt, " was Luther himself frightened at the 
very name of miracle, that he would not admit it, or even talk of it 
as existing in the church, if he could avoid it." Yet, like many 
religious people of the present time, he was ready to ascribe to 
" the Devil " all sorts of miracles — any thing in fact, good or evil, 
which, to his limited knowledge, seemed a little out of the ordinary 
course of events. " In the ' Tischreden,' or ' Table-Talk ' of Luther, 
written down and published by his friends, we have some scores of 
pages relating to the personal appearances of the Devil to Luther, 
and of his conversations with him, and the Reformer's defiances of 
him. Luther saw devils in every thing. He saw them in tempests, 
in diseases, in calamities." 

Nevertheless, even Luther, in some marked cases of emergency, 
exercised the healing gift, in connection with prayer. 

" It is related by Leckendoye, on the authority of Solomon Glasse, Superin- 
tendent-General of Gotha, that Philip Melancthon was recalled from the verge 
of death by Luther's prayers. ' Luther arrived, and found Philip about to give 
up the ghost. His eyes were set, his understanding was almost gone, his speech 
had failed, and also his hearing; his face had fallen; he knew no one, and had 
ceased to take either solids or liquids. At this spectacle Luther is filled with the 
utmost consternation — turning away towards the window, he called most devoutly 
upon God. After this, taking the hand of Philip, and well knowing what was the 
anxiety of his heart and conscience, he said, "Be of good courage, Philip; thou 
shalt not die." While he utters these things, Philip begins, as it were, to revive 
and to breathe, and, gradually recovering his strength, is at last restored to 
health/ Melancthon, writing to a friend, said, ' I should have been a dead man t 
had I not been recalled from death by the coming of Luther.' 

" A similar detention in life, of Myconius, by Luther's prayers, is recorded ; 
and that six years afterwards Myconius, being again at the point of death, sent a 
message to Luther desiring him this time not to detain him by his prayers."— 
History, Vol. II. p. 98. 

2 



1 8 INTRODUCTION. 

IN THE ENGLISH CHURCH. — GREATRAKES. 

The leading minds of English Protestantism accepted the same 
dogma with Luther, as to the cessation of spiritual gifts, with per- 
haps somewhat less of his proneness to recognize the Devil ; and 
coalescing substantially with philosophers of the rationalistic school 
as to all modern miracles, so-called, they have aided in imparting a 
skeptical and Sadducean tone to the general mind, within as well 
as without the church, which prevails to this day in both England 
and America. 

But neither Luther's childish dread of " the Devil," nor the 
Sadduceeism of Protestant divines, has had the effect to wholly bar 
the gates against " demonstrations of the spirit," either in healing 
disease or in other forms. Whenever the proper " faith " has ex- 
isted, the " works " have followed. 

One of the most noted instruments of the healing power on 
record, in Britain, was Mr. Valentine Greatrakes, of Affane, in the 
county of Waterford, Ireland. 

" Mr. Greatrakes was a Protestant gentleman, who had been a lieutenant in 
the Earl of Orrery's regiment of horse, but had retired to his ancestral estate at 
Affane, and was clerk of the peace for the county of Cork, registrar for planta- 
tions, and justice of the peace. In a letter to the Hon. Robert Boyle, he states 
that, in the year 1662, he had an impulse, or strong persuasion in his mind, for 
which he could not account, that the gift of healing the king's evil [scrofula] was 
conferred upon him. He mentioned it to his wife, but she thought it a strange 
imagination. Mrs. Greatrakes. however, had acted, as many ladies then did, as 
country doctress to her humble neighbors, and a tenant of Robert Boyle's brother, 
the Earl of Burlington and Cork, brought his son to her. Mrs. Greatrakes found 
him very much afflicted with king's evil about the neck and face, and told her 
husband, who said she should now see whether it was a mere fancy which pos- 
sessed him. He laid his hands on the affected parts, prayed to God to heal him, 
in a few days found him wonderfully amended, and in a second application he 
was perfectly cured. He continued this practice for three years, not meddling 
with any other distempers ; but the ague becoming frequent in the neighborhood, 
he felt impressed to cure it, and succeeded to his astonishment. He now extended 
his practice to all kinds of complaints, and cured great numbers, but not all. . . 

" His fame spread all over Ireland ; and in 1666 the Earl of Orrery persuaded 
him to come to England, to cure Lady Conway of an obstinate headache. His 
plan was purely apostolic ; he put his hands on the diseased parts, and prayed 
to God to heal the sufferer, and when it took place, he gave God thanks for it. 
He never accepted any remuneration for his cures. It was remarkable that in 
Lady Conway's- case he could do nothing ; but during his abode at Ragley, the 



INTRODUCTION. 19 

seat of Lord Conway, where he remained a month, he laid his hands upon more 
than a thousand persons from the country round, and performed many wonder- 
ful cures. The Bishop of Dromore was there most of the time, and bears testi- 
mony to his marvellous cures. 'I have seen,' says the Bishop, 'pains fly 
strangely before his hands, till he had chased them out of the body ; dimness 
cleared, and deafness cured by his touch. Twenty persons, at several times, in 
fits of the falling sickness, were, in two or three minutes, brought to themselves, 
so as to tell where their pain was, and then he hath pursued it until he hath driven 
it out at some extreme point. Running sores of the king's evil were dried up, 
and kernels were brought to a suppuration by his hand ; grievous sores, of many 
months' date, in a few days healed, obstructions and stoppings removed, and 
cancerous knots dissolved in the breast,' etc. * * * 

"At Worcester, Greatrakes' success was equally remarkable ; and by com- 
mand of Lord Arlington he came up to court [London]. He then took a house in 
Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, and for many months continued there, performing the 
most extraordinary cures. As he was assailed, as a matter of course, by all sorts 
of calumnies, especially from the medical men, he published an account, before 
leaving London, of all whom he had cured, with the names and abodes of the in- 
dividuals- Besides this, the most distinguished men, physicians and others, at- 
tested, from personal knowledge, his cures " [Here follows a list of titled wit- 
nesses, which it is not necessary to quote.] — Ibid., Vol. II. pp. 169-71. 

AMONG THE QUAKERS. 

It is a significant fact that of the minor sects which have sprung 
up within the bounds of Protestantism, those which have had their 
origin in a markedly spiritual impulse, or an awakening of the in- 
ner life of individuals, — as distinguished from such as have arisen 
chiefly from intellectual controversies about doctrines and forms, — 
have enjoyed for a time the " gifts of the spirit," including healing, 
in a marked degree. As these sects have grown older, and settled 
more into organizations, with sharply defined creeds and formularies, 
such " gifts " have declined and been measurably lost. As it 
was with Christianity as a whole, so has it been in general with its 
several divisions. 

Of the sects referred to, the Friends or Quakers, the Methodists, 
the Shakers, and some others, are noted examples. 

George Fox and his associates, who were the originators of the 
Society of Friends, claimed to be specially illuminated and guided 
by " the Spirit," and they exhibited remarkable healing powers. 
In fact, healing the sick by laying on of hands and prayer were so 
common as to be mentioned only incidentally in their journals. 
Among the cures related are the following ; 



20 INTRODUCTION. 

"At Twycross he [George Fox] restored a person who was ill, by prayer. 
' There being in that town a great man, who had long lain sick, and was given 
over by the physicians, he went to visit him in his chamber ; and having 
spoken some words to him, he was moved to pray by his bedside, and the Lord 
was entreated, so that the sick man was restored.' A still more remarkable case 
is recorded by him in his ' Journal.' ' After some time I went to a meeting at 
Arnside, where Richard Myer was, who had been long lame of one of his arms. 
I was moved of the Lord to say unto him, amongst all the people, " Stand upon 
thy legs ; " and he stood up, and stretched out his arm that had been lame a long 
time, and said, " Be it known unto you, all people, that this day I am healed." 
Yet his parents would hardly believe it; but, after the meeting was done, they 
had him aside, took off his doublet, and then saw it was true.' 

" These cures by spirit-power Fox regarded but as incidental objects of his 
mission ; but we should have been glad to have had the particular record of 
others ; for such there were, and numerous ones, according to his account. ' Many 
great and wonderful things were wrought by the heavenly power in those days ; 
for the Lord laid bare His omnipotent arm, and manifested His power to the 
astonishment of many, by the healing virtue whereof many have been delivered 
from great infirmities, and the devils are made subject to his name, of which 
particular instances might be given beyond what this unbelieving age is able to re- 
ceive or bear.' Still we have a considerable number of instances of the healing 
power of God exerted in the early history of the Friends. At Ulverstone, Saw- 
trey, the justice of the peace, set the people upon George Fox, who beat him so 
terribly with cudgels that he fell senseless on the common to which they had 
dragged him ; but, recovering again, and being strengthened by immediate power 
he stood up, and, stretching out his arms, said with a loud voice, ' Strike again, 
here are my arms, my head, and my cheeks.' Then a mason gave him such a 
heavy blow over the back of his hand with his rule that it was much bruised, and 
bis arm so benumbed that he could not draw it to him again, so that some of the 
people cried out, "He has spoiled his hand forever." But he, being preserved 
through the love of God, stood still, and after awhile felt such extraordinary 
strengthening power that he instantly recovered the vigor of his hand and arm.' 

" Miles Halhead, one of their preachers, ' was so beaten and abused at Skip- 
ton, that he was laid for dead ; nevertheless, by the Lord's power, he was healed 
of all his bruises ; and within three hours he was healthy and sound again, to the 
astonishment of those that had so abused him, and to the convincing of many.' 
Soon after the same undaunted soldier of Christ was attacked by a mob at Don- 
caster, which was again urged on by the priest; w 7 as once more knocked down, 
and beaten, as was supposed, to death. In the evening, however, he entered a 
chapel, and, sorely bruised as he was, he preached, and at the conclusion of his 
discourse ' the Lord made him sound of all his bruises.' William Dewsbury, 
another eminent Quaker minister, was set upon at Coldbeck, and was nearly killed 
by the mob ; but 'was healed in the same astonishing manner.' " — Howitt> Hist. 
Sup., H., 315-17. 



INTRODUCTION. 21 

The following is given in Marsh's Life of George Fox, as having 
occurred during his visit to America : 

" Being on the point of proceeding from New Jersey to Maryland, his pres- 
ence of mind was called forth by an accident which had nearly deprived him of 
his companion, John Jay, who had accompanied him from Barbadoes, at which 
island he resided. While in the act of tying a horse for their journey, he was 
thrown from it, and fell with such violence upon his head, that those who beheld 
the fall, and took him up, exclaimed that he was dead, and that his neck was 
broken. George Fox says [in his Journal], ' I got to him as soon as I could, 
and feeling him, concluded he was dead. And as I stood pitying him and his 
family, I took hold of his hair, and his head turned any way, his neck was so 
pliant. Whereupon I took his head in both my hands, and setting my knees 
against a tree, I raised his head, and perceived there was nothing broken that 
way. Then I put one hand under his chin, and the other behind his head, and 
in this manner raised his head two or three times with all my strength, and 
brought it in. I soon perceived his neck began to grow stiff again, and then he 
began to rattle in his throat, and quickly after to breathe. The people were 
amazed ; but I bid them have a good heart, be of good faith, and carry him into 
the house. They did so, and sat him by a fire. I bid them get him something 
warm to drink, and put him to bed. The next day we commenced our journey 
together, which he bore pretty well, and travelled about sixteen miles, through 
woods and bogs, and over a river, where we swam our horses, and got over our- 
selves in a hollow tree.'" — p. 319. 

AMONG THE METHODISTS. 

The preaching of the Wesleys and of Whitefield, in England 
(1740-50), which gave rise to Methodism, was attended by " de- 
monstrations of the spirit and of power " evidently akin to those of 
apostolic days. And accordingly we find that " Wesley healed the 
sick by prayer and laying on of hands. He and some others joined 
in prayer over a man who was not expected to live till morning ; he 
was speechless, senseless, and his pulse was gone. Before they 
ceased, his senses and speech returned. He recovered." 

* *• * « Warburton [a Bishop of the English Church] attacked Wesley's 
belief in miraculous cures and expulsion of evil spirits ; but Wesley replied that 
what he had seen with his own eyes, he was bound to believe ; the bishop could 
believe or not as he pleased. Wesley records the instantaneous cure of a woman 
named Mary. Special, of a cancer in both breasts." — Hozvitt, II., pp. 389-90. 

John Fletcher was another of the early preachers of Methodism : 

" One morning Mr. Fletcher had set out into the country to visit an eminently 
pious clergyman. When he had walked several miles, he saw a great crowd 



22 INTRODUCTION. ■ 

collected at the door of a house, and found that a poor woman and child were 
dying. The woman had been only recently confined ; she appeared very near 
death ; and little better was the case of the infant, which was convulsed from 
head to foot. The room was filled with people. He spoke to them of the 
power of God to forgive sins and raise the dead ; and he then prayed that He 
would save both the sufferers and the spectators. "Whilst he prayed, the child's 
convulsions ceased, and the mother became easy, then cheerful, then strong. 
The people were amazed, and stood speechless, and almost senseless ! Whilst 
they were in this state he silently withdrew." — lb., p. 397. 

AMONG THE SHAKERS. 

The Shakers, whose origin (about 1776) in this country was 
attended with demonstrations of spiritual power of a somewhat 
peculiar kind, have on record numerous well-attested cases of heal- 
ing, of a marvellous character, occurring in their early days. From 
a volume entitled " Christ's First and Second Appearing, Pub- 
lished by the United Society called Shakers " (fourth edition), we 
condense the following statements, as samples of many more : 

Noah Wheaten, of New Lebanon, in the State of New York, 
aged sixty-four years, testifies that in the year 178c, in jumping 
from a high fence, he had the misfortune to dislocate his ankle and 
break or split the outer bone of his leg just above the ankle-joint ; 
that after a time he crawled home on his hands and knees, suffer- 
ing intense pain, which continued until the evening of the follow- 
ing day — the ankle in the mean time swelling greatly, and turning 
black. Believing in " the gift of miracles," he refused to have any 
ordinary means of relief applied to it. " At length, as his family^ 
consisting of ten in number, were assembled at their evening wor- 
ship, in the room where he was sitting upon a chest, the power of 
God came suddenly upon him, and he was instantly hurled from 
his seat, and set upon his feet, and whirled swiftly round like a 
top, for the space of two hours, without the least pain or incon- 
venience. He then retired to rest, well and comfortable, and the 
next morning arose in health, took his team and went to plowing." 

Sarah Kibbee, of New Lebanon, testifies that from childhood 
she had suffered from a disease which finally settled in her left 
foot ; the foot and leg withered, the cords becoming so contracted 
that she was unable to straighten her leg, or set her foot on the 
floor, and used crutches altogether for a year and a half. In 1781, 



INTRODUCTION. 23 

being then in her 16th year, she went with Noah Wheaten to 
Niskeuna (now Watervliet), where Mother Ann Lee and the elders 
then resided. At that time she had " no faith in the testimony of 
the people," but efforts being made in her behalf, she " received 
faith and confessed her sins." The next day, Elder William Lee 
came into the room where she was sitting, " took hold of her foot 
and stroked it with his hands, saying, According to thy faith, so be it 
u?ito thee. Soon after, Mother Ann came into the room and bade 
hex put away her wooden staves and lean upon Christ. She imme- 
diately received strength, laid away her crutches, and has never 
used any since, but was restored to perfect soundness, so that her 
foot and leg, which before was at least one quarter less than the 
other, was in every respect restored equal with the other." 

Phebe Spencer, of New Lebanon, testifies to having been sud- 
denly restored from the effects consequent upon the breaking of 
her ribs by a fall through a broken bridge, after several days of 
severe suffering, by " the power of God," apparently communicated 
by a touch from the hand of Elder Hezekiah Hammond. 

Richard Treat, of the same place, narrates the marvellous 
restoration to life and health of his son Truman, when about 
fifteen months old, and near dying from a violent illness, — the 
means used being " the power of God," communicated to the hand 
of the father by Elder John Hocknell, then at Hancock, " over the 
mountain," and by the father carried to the child, some miles 
distant. The father having applied to the Elder for help, and 
received this " gift," had returned home somewhat doubtingly, but 
on entering his house " was suddenly seized by the power of God, 
in the same manner that Elder H. had been," and going to the 
child, laid his hand upon it. " The child immediately came to his 
senses, laughed, and appeared bright and lively," and continued 
so, without any return of his disorder. 

Passing several cases equally remarkable, we will add only the 
following, which seems entitled to be termed miraculous, if any 
event can be : 

Mary and Gideon Turner, of New Lebanon, jointly testify 
that their son Jonathan, nine or ten years of age, while chopping 
wood at a distance from home, received a very bad wound from 
the axe on the top of his foot. The father states that it was so 



24 INTRODUCTION. 

large he could lay his finger at length in it. When he was brought 
home, the mother, seeing it bleed excessively, was greatly troubled, 
not knowing what to do for it. " She went into another room, 
kneeled down and cried to God, and soon felt the power of God 
run down her arm into her right hand — instantly her hand seemed 
to be filled with the power of God, accompanied with such a delicious 
balsamic smell as she was unable to describe. Feeling confident 
that it was a gift of healing for her son, she returned directly into 
the room and put her hand on the wound, and it instantly ceased 
bleeding. She then walked the floor ; came again and laid on her 
hand a second time ; this she repeated seven times, gently strok- 
ing the wound, during which time it closed up and was healed, 
leaving only a small seam." The father declares that while the 
mother " was stroking the wound, he saw the flesh gradually gather 
and close up, leaving only a small red streak about the size of a 
knitting-needle." The healing was immediate and complete. 

The foregoing statements were all made and signed in the 
presence of witnesses whose names are given, some of whom 
were also witnesses of the cures performed. Their affirmations 
have all the solemnity of oaths ; and their testimonies were first 
published in the year 1808, while the witnesses were living. There 
seems, therefore, no reasonable ground on which to question their 
authenticity. (For full particulars, see the volume referred to, 
pages 416 to 426.) 

AMONG THE IRVINGITES. 

A more recent illustration is that of the Irvingites, so called — 
adherents of Rev. Edward Irving, an eloquent and popular cler- 
gyman in London, from 1827 to 1830 and later — among whom 
various "gifts of the spirit" were manifested. 

We quote again from Howitt : 

c: But not only unknown tongues, but known tongues (Hebrew, Greek, Span- 
ish and Italian, amongst others), were spoken correctly by persons who naturally 
knew nothing of them. The spirit of prophecy was manifested, and the first 
visit of the cholera was distinctly predicted, and arrived in the following summer. 
Still more, many persons were healed by prayer and laying on of hands. Many 
cases are recorded. Miss Fancourt, the daughter of a clergyman, had been a 
hopeless cripple for eight years. She had curvature of the spine, an enlargement 



INTRODUCTION. 25 

of one collar-bone, disease in nearly every joint, and was utterly incapable of 
walking. The medical men had tried every possible remedy upon her. She had 
truly 'suffered many things of many physicians,'^blisters, leeching, setons, 
bleeding, caustics, sea and warm baths ; but all in vain ; and the doctors 
declared her case so thoroughly organic that it was hopeless. Through the 
prayer of Mr. Greaves, one of Irving's congregation, she was suddenly and per- 
fectly healed. Her father publicly attested the perfect cure ; she did the same 
in the ' Christian Observer,' and that she was become quite straight, her collar- 
bones quite equal in size, and she altogether healthy and well. A Mrs. Maxwell, 
who had been lame twenty-four years, and whose case was pronounced equally 
hopeless, became suddenly quite sound. A little girl of about eleven years of 
age, with curved spine, diseased knee, and also pronounced incurable by the 
faculty, was perfectly cured by earnest prayer. These and like cases were 
attested by the parties, by medical men and clergymen." — Vol. II , pp. 422-3. 

IN CHRISTIAN CHURCHES OF OUR OWN DAY. 

Still later, and in our own country, about twenty years since, a 
remarkable work appeared, entitled " Nature and the Supernatural," 
from the pen of Rev. Horace Bushnell, D.D., of Hartford, Conn., 
of the Orthodox Congregationalist communion, in which that dis- 
tinguished divine strongly maintained the continuity of " gifts of 
the Spirit," and bore witness to several notable cases of healing by 
direct spiritual agency occurring within his own personal knowl- 
edge. The reader is referred to the work in question for the de- 
tails. 

More recently, the religious and secular press of the country 
riave given currency to a number of apparently well-attested in- 
stances of remarkable cures, wrought by invisible agencies, in con- 
nection with faith and prayer on the part of Christian people. The 
following are examples : 

The late President Finney, of Oberlin College, in a letter to 
the Chicago Advafice, testifies that a Mrs. Miller, wife of a Congre- 
gationalist clergyman, was instantly cured of chronic rheumatism, 
after having been a cripple for seven years. 

A daughter of Rev. Alfred Connet, of the Congregational 
church, of Carbondale, Osage Co. [Ind. ?], about eight years old, 
is stated to have been instantaneously cured of sciatic rheumatism, 
or hip disease, by which her limb was drawn up and shrunken, 
accompanied by intense suffering. This was said to have been in 
answer to a " prayer of faith " by her mother. 



2D INTRODUCTION. 

Mrs. Sherman, wife of Rev. Moses Sherman, a Methodist cler- 
gyman, of Piermont. N. EL, claims to have been most wonderfully 
cured of spinal disease, with a disabled knee, neuralgia, and other 
severe afflictions, by a " Presence " who came to her bedside by 
night and breathed upon her a healing influence. 

Mrs. M. A. Burress, of Mansfield, Ohio (Methodist), after 
having been confined to her bed for nine years, by a disease which 
baffled the skill of thirty-eight different physicians, was suddenly 
raised up and restored while a circle of friends were praying 
around her. 

Miss Minnie H. Walters, of Harrisburg. Pa. (Methodist), re- 
lated at a camp-meeting at Oakland, Cumberland Co., in 1875, 
that she had been cured of a severe spinal disease, after having 
lain helpless for thirteen months. In answer to her own earnest 
prayers, the words came to her, " Rise up and walk," when she 
found herself suddenly restored. Her statement was corroborated 
by four other persons acquainted with the circumstances. 

Rev. S. H. Piatt, a Methodist clergyman, and author of some 
note, of Brooklyn, N. Y.. claims to have been cured of a lameness 
in the knees, of twenty-five years' continuance in one knee, and 
three years in the other, by the laying on of hands and prayer of a 
young woman Miss Moseman) who said she was "sent by the 
Lord to see him," and to tell him that " he might be cured of his 
lameness if he would only believe." * 

Such are some of the evidences, from credible Christian sources, 
going to sustain the position we have assumed — namely, that the 
marvellous healing power and other " spiritual gifts " displayed in 
the primitive Christian Church have never been " withdrawn " from 
or wholly lost to the world, but have continued to be enjoyed when- 
ever and wherever the requisite human conditions have existed for 
their exercise. Id ::i:er words, that the popular theory of Protest- 
ants on this subject, by which their minds are so generally closed 
against the credence of facts of this class, is a total mistake. 

The way is thus prepared for the extraordinary history which 
forms the main portion of this work. 

* Rev. Mr. Piatt has published a pamphlet entitled " /.' ::.-•': Year jfaiilee, or Cure Zy 
Faifk," in which he has embodied not only : e ieta b of his own case, bat those of several others 
above referred to. 



INTRODUCTION. 2f 

In the chapters which follow, will be presented an overwhelming 
mass of testimony, from a great variety of sources, proving incon- 
testably, as is believed, that the gift of healing is in exercise, with 
marvellous power, among us in this Ni?ietee7ith Century of the Christiaii 
era — that in so far as it has been in any measure lost or discredited 
through the unbelief and errors of previous times, it is now being 
restored, to the great joy and blessing of suffering humanity. 

At appropriate points in the narrative, occasion will be taken 
to introduce suggestions from different quarters as to the nature 
and source of this Healing Power, and its identity with that of the 
primitive Christian age ; and an attempt will be made to set forth a 
rational philosophy of Faith as a curative agent, frequently required 
of adults as a condition of healing ; also the reasons of failure to 
cure in many instances — the whole tending to relieve the subject 
of that air of mystery and " miracle " which attaches to it in the 
popular mind. 

Most of the cases placed on record in the following pages have 
been before published (many of them some years since) in the 
vicinities where they occurred — thus affording ample opportunity to 
call, in question- the accuracy of any statement not well founded. 
No testimony is here reproduced that is known to have been in any 
respect invalidated. A large number of the testimonies, as will be 
seen, are in the form of sworn affidavits of the parties concerned, 
made after the lapse of a sufficient time to test the permanency of 
the cures alleged ; while many more are given on the authority of 
the public press, or of individuals well known in their respective 
localities. The lists of cures presented in several instances were 
made up, as the editor is assured, from the verbal statements of 
patients themselves, who returned, after the lapse of greater or less 
periods of time, and reported the results as given. 

It is not improbable that some portion of these testimonies, 
given, perhaps, in the enthusiasm resulting from a great and sur- 
prising relief, and in many cases by persons unskilled in the use of 
language, may have been expressed in stronger words than cool 
consideration, after a longer delay, would have dictated. It is 
quite likely, too, that in some instances cures reported as complete 
may have proved only temporary or partial. In such cases, it is 
but fair to consider that a cure is a cure, no matter how many times 



28 INTRODUCTION. 

subsequently the same disease may be reproduced by the same or 
similar causes ; while the fact of even a temporary respite from 
suffering indicates the probability that the same power which 
effected it, if more thoroughly applied, might produce more lasting 
benefits. 

But after making all reasonable allowances for possibly exagger- 
ated or erroneous statements, it is believed the candid reader will 
admit that there remains a mass of unexceptionable evidence, ac- 
cumulating through a series of years, with corroborations from all 
parts of our country and from foreign lands, furnished by witnesses 
in almost every condition and station in life, going to show the 
reality of the Healing Power as exercised through the gifted 
'individual who is the subject of the following sketch. 



THE MODERN BETHESDA. 



CHAPTER I. 

BIOG RA P H I C A L 



Birth and Ancestry. — Youthful Proclivities to the Healing Art. — Becomes a Merchant. — 
Visits Hospitals of Europe. — Labors for Medical Reform. — Early cases of Healing. — 
Yellow Fever on board the " Golden Gate." — In San Francisco. 

" Whence is this man ? " is the natural inquiry relative to any- 
one who achieves distinction among his fellows. The following bio- 
graphical sketch of Dr. J. R. Newton, which appeared in the New 
York Literary Album, in 1866, under the head of " Men of Mark," 
will sufficiently answer the query in the case before us : — 

DR. J. R. NEWTON, THE HEALER. 

" If he who causes two blades of grass to grow where but one had grown be- 
fore, is to be considered a benefactor of his race, how much more is he to be re- 
garded as contributing to human good, who can assuage physical pain and ame- 
liorate the ills that flesh is heir to. Such an one is now in our midst, challenging 
the attention and admiration of the community by effecting results in the art of 
healing that border on the marvellous. This gentleman is Dr. J. R. Newton, 
the Healer. 

" The Doctor is at present, and, in this and other cities, has been for some 
years past, attracting such a degree of attention, and is accredited with such 
wonderful powers and such distinguished characteristics, as to make him most 
prominently ' a man of mark/ As such, we present his likeness to the readers 
of the ' Literary Album,' together with a few facts in regard to his past history 
and present practice. 

/ "Dr. James Rogers Newton was born in Newport, Rhode Island, Septem- 1 
ber 8th, 18 10, and is a lineal descendant of John Rogers, who was burned at the 
stake. 



30 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

" He is now [1S66] in his fifty-sixth year, with a constitution as strong, a step 
as firm and elastic, and health as vigorous and unimpaired, as any man of five- 
and-twenty. His parents were New England people, and were remarkable for 
longevity, — his father living, in the full possession of all his faculties, to the ad- 
vanced age of ninety- years. His mother was a lady of high moral worth and 
intellectual capacity, and possessed of indomitable energy and will-power. From 
both parents, but from the latter more especially, Dr. Newton inherited those 
gifts that have made him famous. 

" In his vouth, Dr. Newton enjoyed all the advantages that competence and 
good judgment could confer. He early evinced a strong proclivity for the 
medical profession, or more properly speaking, an inclination to do battle with 
old Allopathy, to modify and improve, if not to entirely change, the prevailing 
system of medical practice, so as to make it more in accordance with nature's 
laws ; but various circumstances combined to prevent the gratification of his 
desires. 

" At an early age he became aware of possessing the gift of healing, of which 
he has for the past few years given such wonderful evidence. He became con- 
scious of new powers, new capabilities, wonderful and strange, and opening a glo- 
rious avenue of usefulness ; and his young, enthusiastic spirit burned for the 
work. But meeting with no encouragement, this heaven-born gift was suffered 
to lie comparatively undeveloped until later years. 

- " Although contrary to his inclinations, he entered upon pursuits less con- 
genial to his tastes, and for twenty years was a prosperous merchant, during which 
time his peculiar gift was often manifested, but never exercised to any great 
extent till the year 1S5S. Previous to this, he had travelled extensively in 
Europe, visiting the principal hydropathic establishments and hospitals of Eng- 
land, France and Germany, and greatly improving in his knowledge of the heal- 
ing art. Latterly he has relinquished all other pursuits, overmastered all ob- 
stacles, and devoted himself to healing the sick. 

" He has visited the principal cities of the United States and been visited by 
thousands of patients ; and has performed those marvellous and inexplicable 
cures and exercised those powers which astonish the world and threaten to 
revolutionize all former laws and experience of medical science. 

" Doctor Newton is a man of most pleasing presence and rare urbanity of 
manners. He speaks unpretendingly of hi-s great powers, and converses with an 
ease and fluency that plainly show him to be a gentleman of intellect and refine- 
ment. 

" He holds none of his powers in secret, but courts investigation of the scien- 
tific, and endeavors to promulgate to the world his principles of cure, as well as 
to show how magnetism, the life-principle, or vital force, can be imparted by a 
positive will from a strong and healthy body to a sickly and weak one, producing 
an instantaneous cure of the most chronic diseases. 

" The Doctor disclaims any miraculous powers, but declares that the results 
he produces to be founded on philosophic and scientific principles which can, in a 
measure, be taught. 

■ He says that his extraordinary powers over disease are principally due to 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 3 1 

his peculiar organism, philanthropic idea of doing good, and his positive char- 
acter. 

" He does not pretend that his mission is a special one, any more than that 
one man may make a good tailor, another a good carpenter, et cetera. He is a 
thorough reformer, if not a revolutionist, especially in his practise as physician. 
He holds that at least nineteen persons out of twenty are injured by taking medi- 
cine. A large proportion of surgical operations he denounces as wicked and 
useless torture. The use of nitrate of silver and belladonna for the eyes — a 
practice which is almost universal in the medical profession — he says is always 
attended with most disastrous consequences. In the year 1849 he published a 
pamphlet on the malpractice of physicians, with an appeal to the medical faculty 
of Rhode Island to allow woman to be the physician of her own sex. 

" The Doctor is a philanthropist in the fullest sense of the term, and declares 
that if he were making his last wish on earth, it would be that which would most 
benefit mankind and mitigate suffering and human woe. 

" May God bless him in the most beneficent and glorious work that has ever 
claimed the world's attention since the days when Divinity walked the earth! " 

As appears from the foregoing sketch, Dr. Newton possessed 
the gift of healing in his youth, and it would doubtless have been 
developed earlier in life but for the influences operating adversely, 
through ignorance, pride and prejudice. One or two out of the 
many cures he performed in a quiet way, before he finally began his 
public work, may be here mentioned. 

In 1853, Dr. Newton was a passenger on the steamer " Golden 
Gate," from Panama to San Francisco. The second day the yellow 
fever broke out, and fear and consternation prevailed among the 
passengers, who numbered about thirteen hundred. Among them 
were several physicians, and all those not prostrated with the dis- 
ease labored diligently for the sufferers. The fever raged for the 
period of eight days ; seventy-four persons died and their bodies 
were consigned to the ocean. The surgeon of the ship lost every 
patient but one that he attended. Dr. N. lost none. Many lives 
were saved by his treatment. 

Twelve years after, while Dr. Newton was healing in White- 
water, Michigan, Dr. Ledgard called upon him and inquired if he 
made a passage on the steamer " Golden Gate," in 1853. On 
being answered in the affirmative, he said, " Well, you attended me 
in a terrible attack of yellow fever, and I have to thank you for 
saving my life." 

In the same year (1853), while Doctor Newton was in California, 



32 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

J. J. Coombs, Esq., of San Francisco, said to him : " My wife is 
very ill. I have just had a consultation of three of our best phy- 
sicians, who say that she cannot live thirty, and perhaps not ten, 
days." The Doctor was immediately impressed that he could cure 
her, and said so to Mr. Coombs, adding, " she will be able to walk 
a mile in thirty days." She had been afflicted with chronic 
diarrhoea and other seemingly incurable maladies for twenty-two 
months, but with a few treatments she was entirely cured, and 
walked two miles in thirty days. 

The following is an extract from a letter written several years 
after : 

" Marblehead (Mass.), June 21, i860. 
" J. R. Newton, M. D. 

" My Dear Friend, — I embrace this opportunity to wish you god-speed on 
your mission of love and healing, and to assure you that my humble blessings 
are daily added with those of the multitude whom your skill and kindness have 
restored to health. * * * * Years have passed since I saw you, but my 
heart beats as warmly as ever for the good Samaritan who ministered to me in 
my time of dire necessity, and who never wearied until his work was well done : 
and I fervently say, may God bless you now and evermore ! 

" Your true and grateful friend, 

" Mrs. C. B. Coombs-Hammond." 



BEGINNING OF PUBLIC CAREER. 33 



CHAPTER II. 

BEGINNING OF PUBLIC CAREER. 

Dr. Newton commences as a Public Healer in Cincinnati, Ohio. — Incredulity. — Opposition 
gives way. — One Hundred Patients per Day. — A List of Cures. — Statement of Alex- 
ander Fairchild. — The Doctor goes to Cleveland. — Increase of Power. — A Paralytic 
Healed. — Affidavit of John F. Warner. 

In 1858, Doctor Newton commenced practise as a public healer 
in Cincinnati, Ohio. " He was here," says a narrator, ''inaugura- 
ting a new method of curing disease, and encountered at first the 
usual amount of incredulity and skepticism attendant on the intro- 
duction of any new system ; but proofs were too numerous and 
powerful to withstand even the strongest current of opposition, and 
all who saw were compelled to believe." 

After performing some very wonderful cures, his fame and 
practise were so great that his rooms were daily crowded with 
invalids. The average number of patients treated by the Doctor, 
in these his first months of healing, was about " one hundred a 
day." 

The press invariably gave favorable accounts, and cases of 
cures were cited to verify their statements. The following are a 
few cases, out of the many thousands : 

John Hutchinson, Frankfort, Indiana, cured of paralysis in the leg, so as 
to be able to walk without limping. 

Miss Catharine Johnson, Sixth street, blind for fifteen years, restored in 
fifteen minutes, and can now see to read and work as well as when a child. 

Mrs. Elizabeth Miller, Lawrenceburg, rheumatism for twenty years, 
restored in a few minutes. 

Miss Emma Coombs, Sixth street, cured of a goitre in less than twenty 
minutes. 

William Rolls, cataracts on eyes, perfectly restored to sight while riding 
in a Third street omnibus. 

3 



34 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

Mrs. RANDOLPH DOUGLASS, Frankfort, Ind., hearing and voice restored. 

H. Oldham, Camden, Ohio, restored from paralysis and rheumatism in half 
an hour, to walk without limping. 

Mrs. S. G. Horton's son, ten years old, cured of spinal complaint in ten 
minutes, so as to be able to lift the end of a heavy bureau. 

Mrs. Litton, relieved of excruciating pain, having been kept awake there- 
with for six days and nights. 

Mrs. Francesco, Cleveland, weakness and internal ulcers, discharging pint 
daily ; cured in ten minutes. (Husband sexton Dr. White's Plymouth church.) 

Frances Gillmore, Sixth street, east of Broadway, large ovarian tumor, 
pronounced by several physicians to be incurable. This case was examined by 
two physicians, who certify that there was no trace of a tumor or abnormal 
enlargement of the abdomen remaining. 

Daniel Rice, near Kokomo, Indiana, hip disease, confined to bed four 
months ; left his crutch and walked to hotel. 

Maria Louisa Crane, 320 George street, spine disease over two years, legs 
withered and drawn up ; five months previous to being cured, could not be turned 
in bed, but lay in one position. Fully restored ; it is not probable that a more 
wonderful cure has been for ages. 

Miss Sarah Hinsey, Sommerville, Ohio, had not stepped on her foot for 
eight months ; with 30 minutes' operation left her crutches and walked to hotel. 

Mrs. Henry Alms, 27 and 29 West Third street, female weakness and inter- 
nal ulcers, was so weak she could not stand without support, was taken from her 
bed and restored ; walked a mile the next day. 

Mrs. Bromwell, 293 George street, had lost all use of her limbs by spinal 
disease and weakness ; had not walked for eight months ; restored in twenty 
minutes, so as to walk about the house and out doors. 

Mrs. Thomas Xoe, 312 Baymiller street, — heart disease and weakness — 
taken from a sick bed, and in twenty-five minutes perfectly restored, to walk 
about and attend to customary duties. 

Jackson Douglass, Frankfort, Ind., — great inflammation in the eyes and par- 
tial blindness for over five years — fully restored to sight in less than 20 minutes. 

George Bechtolds, Newport, Ky., daughter aged eight years, spine disease, 
had never walked ; with fifteen minutes operating, made to run all about the room. 

Mrs. Jane Horton, 132 George street, polypus, two and a half years, cured ; 
it passed away in three days. 

Ebenezer Williamson, Plainville, Ohio, tumor on his back, cured in fifteen 
minutes ; and wife cured of bad sight and inflammation of eyes. 

Miss Harriet Rall, daughter of Louis Rail, M. D., 26S Baymiller street, 
could not speak plainly, and for five months had not spoken above the slightest 
whisper ; was perfectly restored, with clear, pleasant voice as any one. She says 
her father wept for joy at her restoration. 

William Owen, corner Court and Western Row, inflammatory rheumatism. 
His entire flesh was so sore that he could not be touched without great pain ; in 
fifteen minutes he arose from his bed cured, and walked nearly a mile. 

Mrs. Louisa Blossom, Cleveland, female weakness and spine disease ; was 



BEGINNING OF PUBLIC CAREER. 35 

brought in a carriage, barely able to stand alone ; in fifteen minutes she was fully 
cured, discharged the carriage, and walked a mile. 

Frances Harty, fourteen years old, 169 West Fourth street, hip disease, 
walked on all-fours if her crutch was taken from her ; cured in thirty minutes ; 
never used crutch afterward. 

Mrs. Augustus Berry, 454 Front street, insanity thirteen years, full, 
restored with one operation. 

Mrs. James E. Stacy, 53 East Third street, general weakness and spine dis- 
ease, had not walked for two years ; was brought directly from Saratoga Springs, 
New York, where she had been under treatment four months, without benefit. 
This was two months ago, and she is constantly acquiring strength, and can now 
walk two miles with ease, without stopping. 

Thos. Brown, 72 Richmond street, fever sores, with much pain ; fully 
restored in forty-eight hours — the scars having the appearance of having been 
healed for years ; left his crutches. 

Mrs. Elizabeth Wallace, Broadway, totally blind in one eye, and could 
not distinguish any person four feet distant with the other — both eyes fully 
restored and health greatly improved. A daughter near-sighted from infancy, 
also cured. 

Mrs. Emma P. Bowman, 38 Rittenhouse street, liver swelled enormously, 
suffered great pain seven years. The swelling all disappeared and health 
restored. This disease was pronounced incurable by many physicians. 

Jane Scott, Third street, between Elm and Plum, lame ankle, scarcely able 
to walk for twelve years ; made to walk without halt or limp in fifteen minutes. 



The case of Alexander Fairchild is thus given in a com- 
munication to one of the local papers : 

" Messrs. Editors. — For the benefit of mankind I give you an account of 
my sickness and restoration, that other afflicted persons may receive the same 
benefit. 

" Two years ago I was taken with fever, was confined to my bed, and lost all 
use of my legs, which were drawn up and anchylosed. So great was my debility 
that for five months my head was not raised from the pillow to receive nourish- 
ment. I am twenty-five years old, five feet seven and one-half inches high, yet 
my weight was then about forty pounds. Midway between my knee and hip I 
could span my legs with my thumb and middle finger. It is over a year since I 
was given over as incurable. 

"Last May, you published an account of a cure performed by Dr. J. R. New- 
ton, who was then at the Gibson House. My friends were thereby induced to 
have him come to see me. By the first operation my whole system was vital- 
ized and invigorated ; then one leg was relieved and straightened ; the next day 
the other ; and the next day I walked. This was twelve weeks ago, and I have 
increased in strength ever since. I now weigh 135 pounds. 



36 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

" I walk out daily and am often in the office of Dr. Newton, and see much of 
his astounding cures of all kinds of diseases. * * * I feel deep gratitude to 
the doctor for my restoration. 

Alexander Fairchild, 
"Cor. Park and Fifth streets, Cincinnati." 

The doctor remained in Cincinnati one year and a half, and 
then went to Cleveland, where he had even greater success, and 
an increase of healing power. Much was published which un- 
fortunately has been lost, excepting two cases which follow : 

"Mrs. Stebbixs had been paralyzed three years : had lost the sense of hear- 
ing, of sight and of speech. She was incapable of any motion or sound, except- 
ing with the tongue, with which she made a slight sound when hungry, indicating 
her desire for food. With one treatment of half an hour she was restored to all 
her senses ; could see, hear, walk and talk. Her cure was complete." 

AFFIDAVIT OF JOHX F. WARNER. 

Cleveland, Ohio. 

About the first of May, i860, I was confined to my bed with rheumatism in 
my back, and so badly that I could not move or be moved from the bed. Learn- 
ing of Dr. Newton's arrival, and having heard of his wonderful cures, I told 
my friends to call him, and also to advise my former physician of same. They 
protested, and I insisted, telling them that I could not endure such pain, and that 
Dr. J. R. Newton might help me. My friends came to the following conclusion 
and reasoned thus : " Well, he does not give medicines or use the knife, and if 
he doesn't cure, he can't hurt him." And Dr. Newton was called during the 
latter part of the afternoon, and soon after entering the room, commenced by 
making manipulations over my head, shoulders and sides, and after working 
awhile he got me on my side, and then manipulated my back and body, which 
soon enabled me with his assistance to sit up in bed, and in about thirty minutes 
I was enabled to get from the bed and walked the room. I soon felt that my 
back was giving out, and told Dr. Newton, when he made a few more passes 
with his hand on my back, which caused me to feel strong and well as ever. 
After moving around the room rapidly at the request of Dr. Newton, he re- 
quested that I should dress myself and have a brisk walk in the open air. I 
told him I could not do so as the air was too damp and I feared taking cold. 
Dr. Newton insisted, and said if I did not do so the coming morning would find 
me stiff and lame. Before leaving, Dr. Newton told me that I must visit him in 
the morning at his office. I retired about ten o'clock that evening and rested 
well, except that I was stiff, as Dr. N. said I would be. I was dressed by my 
friends, and with two canes and a man by my side I started for Dr. Newton's 
office, distant half a block. On arriving at his office I found a crowd of people, 
and made my way through into the hall, taking a chair, and sent word to Dr. 
Newton that I wished to see him at once. I was soon escorted to his room and 
placed on a lounge, when he commenced manipulating and rubbing my back 
and body, not exceeding ten minutes, when I was relieved from all stiffness and 
felt like a new man, and had no use for my canes. After the operation I walked 
about two miles, and on returning home found several friends at the house to .► 

learn of the cure. I would here state that my age now is about forty-six, and for 
about fifteen years I have been a very great sufferer from rheumatism, and have 
continued well to this time. John F. Warner. 

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 26th day of December, 1862. 

George B. Tibbits, Justice of the Peace, Cleveland, Ohio f ' 

t 



THE HEALER IN BOSTON. tf 



CHAPTER III. 

THE HEALER IN BOSTON. 

Crowds in Attendance. — Testimony of Dr. Child of Philadelphia. — List of Cures. — Affi- 
davit of Elizabeth S. Southwick. — All Cases not Cured. — Skepticism in Consequence. 
— Nature of the Healing Power needs to be Understood. — A remarkable Exposition of 
the Subject from an Extraordinary Source. — A " Trance " Discourse, followed by an 
Interesting Colloquy. 

In the summer of i860, Dr. Newton proceeded to Boston, 
Mass., and there opened an office at the corner of Edinboro and 
Beach Streets. His spacious rooms were daily crowded with mul- 
titudes, — some to be cured, and others to see cures performed. 
Among the latter was Dr. H. T. Child, an eminent physician of 
the Allopathic practise, from Philadelphia. On returning home, 
he told some of the Professors in the famous medical schools of 
that city that he had learned more of curing disease, in one day, 
of Dr. Newton, than he ever learned in their colleges. 

The following letter from Dr. Child was afterward published : 

" Mr. Editor : — In answer to numerous inquiries in reference to Dr. J. R. 
Newton, I would say, that jn October, i860, I visited him in Boston. I found 
him a plain, unassuming man. 

" His rooms were crowded by patients and their friends, a motley group of 
the lame, the halt and the blind. He invited me into his operating-room to wit- 
ness his mode of treating various diseases. He was seeing from eighty to one 
hundred patients daily, most of whom were of the poor, toward whom his atten- 
tion was bestowed with as much kindness as to any class. 

" I saw him operate on more than one hundred persons who had various 
forms of disease. Of these I will mention a case of paralysis. An old man, a 
painter by trade, came hobbling in on two crutches. He said he had not been 
able to rise from his seat or walk without aid for eight months. In about 
twenty minutes he rose up and walked away, going up and down stairs without 
a cane or crutch. His mode of treatment was by pressure with his hands along 
the spinal column and over the limbs. He also applied warm water to them 
and moved them in various directions. This was the general plan of treatment 
of paralysis. 



f 



38 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

" Another case was that of a little boy about six years old who had hip dis- 
ease. He came in limping on one foot, the other drawn up several inches. In 
a few minutes the limb was drawn down and he ran round the room without any 
aid. I saw a large pile of crutches and supporters that had been left with the 
Doctor by his patients who had no longer any use for them. 

"Henry T. Child, M. D., 

" 634 Race street, Philadelphia." 

From a lengthy list of cures performed during this visit to 
Boston, and published at the time, the following are selected : — 

Miss Abby Bartlett, Boston, could not speak even in a whisper for eight 
months ; perfectly cured in ten minutes. The next day her friend, Mrs. Samuel 
Stevens, Boston — fourteen months without speaking — was restored in two 
minutes. 

Mrs. Wise, 31 Central avenue, Chelsea, cured of cancer. 

Captain Daniel Cavanaugh, Jr., steam tow-boat, Charles River, had cough ; 
thought to be in consumption ; cured by one operation. 

Jeremiah O'Brien, 3 South street court, Boston — sciatica; could not work 
for seven and a half years ; hobbled with two canes ; after one operation he left 
his canes, and was able to go to work. 

Mrs. S. E. Wadsworth, 3 Medford court, Boston — lame five years ; brought 
in arms, and walked home. 

Mrs. Henrietta M. Gibson, 20 Marion street, Boston — loss of voice, weak 
spine, and general debility ; cured. 

H. F. Cushing, Maiden, Mass., returned last March from the West, where 
he had been sick for about a year. After his return he grew weaker, suffering 
severe pains ; the physician under whose care he was held a consultation with 
another, and they decided (as all supposed) that he was incurable; he was quite 
a skeleton, weighing only ninety-seven pounds. In September he was carried to 
Dr. N., and in fifteen minutes was restored so as to dress and undress himself, 
which he had not done for over a year. He now is apparently well ; weighs one 
hundred and twenty-five pounds, and is gaining every day, with a good appetite, 
perfectly free from pain. 

Mrs. Sarah G. Crosby, of Albion, Maine, after being treated for female 
weakness of long standing, with much benefit, brougl.t her son, Ellery C. 
Crosby, to be cured of consumption. He was very low, and his journey was 
attended with much suffering. The Doctor, placing his hands upon his head, 
said: " You shall be cured. Go, take a male chicken, cut off the head, split it 
in the back, and place it, warm, on your breast, with the inside to your flesh. In 
the morning it will be putrid. Then burn it." He did so, when a running sore, 
in the shape of the chicken, came upon his breast, which lasted two weeks ; 
after which he was well, and the breast-bone, which before had projected like 
that of a chicken, went to its natural position. 



THE HEALER IN BOSTON. 39 

The following was voluntarily given under oath : 

AFFIDAVIT OF ELIZABETH S. SOUTHWICK. 

This certifies that I, Elizabeth S. Southwick, of South Danvers, County of 
Essex, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, four or five years ago was afflicted 
with what my physicians called a spinal disease ; that I was confined with it to 
my bed for four months, and was not able to walk across the room without sup- 
port for sixteen months. My only other means of locomotion was by a chair on 
wheels for invalids, by which I could propel myself about parts of the house. 
While in this situation, and not being able to rise from the chair without assist- 
ance, I heard that cases similar to my own had been helped by Dr. J. R. New- 
ton. I desired to see him, and my friends carried me to his residence in Boston, 
distant about sixteen miles. This was in October, i860. I was assisted up one 
flight of stairs, and met Dr. Newton in his private room in presence of my 
brother and his wife. After about fifteen minutes' treatment I found myself 
able to rise and walk without assistance. I descended the stairs without help 
and walked about the city with perfect ease to myself, continuing my walk I 
think about two miles. I then rode home in the same carriage in which I came, 
and alighted from it without aid. After about a week I visited Dr. Newton a 
second time, in a carriage, and returned home in the same without more fatigue 
than is usual when I am in good health. Since that time my health has been 
good. I walk abroad almost every day, and I can now walk miles from home 
with very little fatigue. 

I am fully satisfied that my cure was effected solely by the means used by 
Dr. Newton, and that I owe my restoration to good, and I may almost say robust 
health, under Providence, to his skill as a physician. 

Elizabeth S. Southwick. 
South Danvers, December 25, 1862. 

Essex, SS., December 25, 1862. — Then personally appeared the within 
named Elizabeth S. Southwick, and made oath that the foregoing certificate, 
signed by her, is true. Before me, Fitch Poole, 

Justice of the Peace. 

It is by no means to be inferred that all persons who applied to 
Dr. Newton for healing were cured of their diseases. On the con- 
trary, instances frequently occurred among the numbers who 
pressed upon him, in which little or no apparent effect was pro- 
duced upon the sufferer. To those who had no proper conception 
of the nature of the healing force exerted through Dr. N., and of 
its mode of action, this seemed inexplicable; and not a few were 
moved to pronounce the whole thing a deception, and the cases of 
alleged cure merely imaginary. But the claims of the genuineness 
of this power may be safely rested upon the abundant testimony al- 



40 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

ready and hereafter to be adduced — much of it given under 
oath — that positive and often instantaneous cures did occur, in 
large numbers, as the result of Dr. N.'s simple treatment, and 
this notwithstanding the failures. 

A correct knowledge of the nature of this healing power, of its 
mode of operation in the human organism, and of the conditions 
necessary to its successful action, will doubtless fully explain all 
cases of failure, and enable us to give credence to all reasonably 
authenticated testimony in its favor. Such knowledge we hope to 
impart in the course of this volume. 

As a contribution towards this end, the following remarkable 
exposition is here presented. It appeared in the columns of the 
Banner of Light, a weekly journal published in Boston, about the 
time of Dr. Newton's first visit to that city. It is a verbatim re- 
port of a discourse spoken through the lips of Mrs. Conant, a 
widely-known " medium " for messages purporting to come from 
disembodied spirits, while she was in an unconscious trance ; 
which discourse was followed by a colloquy between the invisible 
speaker and some questioner or questioners in the audience, who 
desired a further elucidation of the subject. The philosophy 
therein presented, whatever its source, is regarded by Dr. Newton 
as substantially correct. It is at least worthy of careful study. 

These topics, of the nature of the healing power, the modus 
operandi of its action, and the reason of failures, will come up for 
further consideration in subsequent chapters of this work. 

THE PHILOSOPHY OF DR. NEWTON'S HEALING POWERS. 

By request, we shall speak in brief this afternoon concerning the philosophy 
of the immediate removal of certain diseases by and through Dr. J. R. Newton, 
together with his total failure in other cases. 

It will be remembered, by some at least, that we have affirmed that nearly all 
the diseases to which the human body is heir, are first received or taken on by 
the spirit or vital forces, and thence eliminated or projected into the physical. 
The character of the manifestation of the disease depends very much upon the con- 
dition of the individual at the time of its inception. Taking this stand, it were 
verv easy to elucidate the philosophy of the cure of disease concerning the case 
in question. 

It is perceived that the Materia Medica is not at all consulted by the operator, 
Dr. Newton. He relies solely upon those self-healing energies that are gener- 
ated within his own spiritual being. Now this should clearly prove to mortal 
minds that disease does indeed come by and through the spiritual forces, else 



THE HEALER IN BOSTON. 41 

it could not be removed by a spiritual process, by any possibility. We do not 
affirm or say that the spirit is accountable for all those imperfect conditions that 
are taken on by the human form, but we do say that nearly all the diseases inci- 
dent to mortality originate in the spiritual forces of the individual. 

" What is the philosophy of the cure of disease in one case, and of his total 
failure in another ? " Why, to us it is as grand and simple, yet majestic, as 
yonder sunlight. We see. it, feel its power, and are able to analyze its properties. 
So it is with regard to the subject before us. We see the wheel that is within the 
wheel ; we perceive also the power that is behind the external power, and thus 
we speak, although with simplicity, yet with knowledge of this important matter. 

To illustrate : Suppose two persons present themselves to the operator, Dr. 
J. R. Newton, afflicted with the same disease. Each desires to be cured ; but is 
it possible to cure both ? Perhaps so, perhaps not, as we shall presently see. 
The operator presents himself before his two patients, but the moment he does 
so he feels instinctively the attractive power of the one, and the repulsive force of 
the other, and yet he fails to understand the whys and wherefores of these feelings 
at the time. But the philosophy of this feeling of attraction and repulsion will be 
one day clearly understood by him. When he comes into the spiritual atmos- 
phere of the patients before him, he takes the hand of the person to whom he 
is attracted, and he says, at once, " I can cure you. You are diseased thus and 
so. You shall be healed. Believe there is power to heal you ; and I'm going to 
do it." Thus he sends out his will force — directs it to the patient, and particularly 
to that portion of the body that he believes to be diseased. 

Now if that patient have hope, together with a strong degree of faith in the 
healing power of the operator, then that will-force will attract and fasten itself to 
the electrical body * of the patient, and form a perfect battery of communication 
between the operator and his subject ; and through this will-power the patient is 
healed. The afflicted one is filled, not with the Holy Ghost, it may be, but with 
the holy fires of electric life, that were so long wanted there. The first point 
that it is requisite to attain, is to gain the confidence of the patient. Inspire him 
with confidence in your power to heal him ; attract all the possibilities of your 
patient toward you, bring his electric forces into union with those of your own 
body, and when you have connected yourself electrically with the patient, be- 
lieve us, a cure will be readily effected. 

After coming into the spiritual atmosphere of the second individual, or other 
patient in question, the operator asks, " Do you believe I can heal you ? " " Oh, 
yes ; you have healed my friend, why not me ? " he says. " At all events, I shall 
try to believe in you, although I must confess that I have not that strong faith 
in your healing power that my friend possesses." Now here is an apparent 
show of faith and hope. The patient believes ; he or she believes that there is a 
possibility of being cured, yet is not sure of it. The operator sends out his will- 
force toward the individual in question; but there is a deficiency in the attractive 
power. It is not sufficient to bring his own electric forces into union with those 
of the patient. In vain he endeavors to come in contact with the electric forces 

* Commonly termed " spiritual body." — Ed. 



42 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

of the patient. He says again, I can cure you ; for, by appealing to the individ- 
ual's material senses, he hopes that he may gain access to the latent electric forces 
in the body of his patient, in order that perfect electrical communication may be 
established between his own body and the subject before him. 

So do not charge him with falsehood when he tells you that he can cure you 
and yet fails to do so ; for we declare he tells you no untruth. He does not 
desire to deceive you ; he feels the necessity of making this assertion to give 
birth, if we may so speak, to hope, to faith in the mind of the patient, that he 
may fasten his electric forces upon your electric body, and through those forces 
you may receive the healing balm. 

We have said he may make an attempt to come into contact with the electric 
forces of the patient through his material senses, and yet no cure be effected. 
There is no light there — all is darkness; the electric forces remain still undis- 
turbed in the body of the patient, still unharmonized, and there is a want of hope 
and faith in the mind of the patient that completely baffles the power of the 
operator. Yet by repeated efforts it is possible that he may, through the mate- 
rial or external senses of the patient, form the desired connection and so effect 
a cure. But if this last means fail to produce the desired effect, he withdraws 
his will-power from the afflicted one, and thus is never able to cure the patient. 

It is highly important that the man of science, particularly the physician, 
understand these things ; if not, he has no surety that he has grasped science at 
all. The medical man of the past and of the present age has overlooked the 
spiritual part of science. He has grappled with material effects rather than 
with the causes of those effects. He has searched through the Materia Medica 
for knowledge wherewith to remove those diseases of the human form that to his 
mind have had their rise in material conditions. In many thousand cases he has 
succeeded in restoring health and vigor to frames apparently diseased. We do 
not ignore the old process of treating disease, for we are aware that there are 
many thousands who can be healed in no other way, whose electrical forces can 
never be approached, because of their non-susceptible natures. Thus they live 
in themselves, and feed upon their own powers; and if those electric forces lose 
their vitality, and disease settles upon the human frame, it can be removed — if 
indeed it is removed at all — only through the old and practical mode of treatment. 

COLLOQUY. 

Query. — How is Dr. Newton supplied with this spiritual or healing power ? 

A. — Compensation is one of the great laws of Nature. You send out a large 
amount of your vital power toward another person, and Nature immediately sup- 
plies the loss to you. The operator may feel enfeebled, but it is temporary, for 
Nature will recuperate those forces of the human system that have been imparted 
or given out to others. 

Q. — Must not Dr. Newton have an organization peculiarly adapted to the 
reception of such forces ? 

A. — Certainly. If he had not an organization to receive the forces of the 
natural world, he would not have the power to impart those forces to others. 



THE HEALER IN BOSTON. 43 

But it is by nature of his own being that he is enabled to prepare those forces for 
the use of the afflicted ones of earth. Thus that peculiar force that is eliminated 
to the patient is generated within the operator's own being. 

Q. — Is it not necessary that the operator be possessed of great sympathy and 
love for the human race generally ? 

A. — It is ; for by and through the law of love a Jesus of Nazareth was enabled 
to perform great miracles while living among the children of earth. 

Q. — Does Dr. Newton perform his cures merely from his own power, or has 
he the aid of any one else ? 

A. — He is assisted by all heaven and earth, for he is inseparably connected 
to these conditions of life. 

Q. — He seems to be in a semi-trance, and I did not know but that he was 
under the influence of a band of spirits. 

A. — He is ofttimes, yet the peculiar force that is eliminated to the patient is 
generated within his own being ; but that from which it is formed may and must 
be attracted to the operator from the natural world. 

Q. — After exhaustion, is the power that comes to the operator by way of res- 
toration a diffused force, or is it gathered to some particular organ of the body ? 

A. — It is attracted to the physical form by action of the spleen, and diffused 
by that organ to the various other organs of the human system. 

Q. — Is not the spleen, then, the stomach into which these natural forces are 
first received ? 

A. — It is the grand magnetic stomach, if we may so term it. The man of 
science well understands that if he takes one ounce of blood from the physical 
form, Nature labors very hard, is very active, until she has restored that much of 
lost blood to the physical body. So it is with the spiritual forces of your nature. 
If you expend a large amount of your spiritual or healing forces for the benefit 
of others, Nature will certainly compensate you for the loss by giving back to 
you an amount of power equal to that expended by you on others. So give of 
your forces without stint or measure, for Nature will make good to you the loss 
of them. 

Q. — Do you mean to say it is impossible for one to exhaust those healing 
forces ? 

A. — I do believe it is possible for you to exhaust those forces to a certain 
degree ; but it is only for a time, for Nature will restore the deficiency. 

Q. — We shall be restrained from exercise by the want of power, I presume, 
but I have known cases where the loss of these healing forces occasioned such 
severe physical exhaustion as to produce disease upon the part of the operator. 

Q. — Can a person having large faith heal himself ? 

A. — Most certainly he can, in many cases. You may be enabled to electrify 
the diseased portion of your nature. We may safely say that in four cases out 
of ten this may be done, and if man would rely more upon his own healing 
energies, he would seldom need to consult a phvsician. It is because man does 
not know his power that he does not use it. Knowledge and faith are both neces- 
sary to the removal of disease from the human system. 



r 



44 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 



CHAPTER IV. 



IN NEW YORK CITY. 



The Herald gives its testimony. — Statement of Dr. Bryant. — Crowds of Patients. — Folice 
required. — Cure of an Editor's Wife. — Singular Cure of Polypus. — List of Cures. — A 
series of Affidavits. 

In May, 1861, Dr. Newton went to New York, where a large 
field for his labors opened before him. Several of the leading daily 
papers sent reporters to his rooms, and the New York Herald pub- 
lished the following article in its issue of July 3d : — 

THE MIRACLES OF CHRIST REVIVED. 

Seco7id Advent of the Apostolic Age. — The Lame Walk, the Deaf Hear, the Blind 
See and the Cripple Restored. — Wonderful Cures Performed by a New York 
Physician. — Terrific Assault on Ancient sEsculafiian Battlements. — The Faculty 
Perplexed and Troubled, etc. 

In a fashionable, palatial residence, No. 32 East Eighteenth street, New 
York, in the immediate vicinity of the great artery of our metropolis, there at 
present resides a man whose name is already on the tongues of thousands, and is 
destined to be still wider known throughout the community. This is J. R. New- 
ton, M. D., who calls himself a practical physician for the cure of chronic dis- 
eases, and professes to be possessed of a power to relieve all sorts of " ills to 
which flesh is heir." During a residence of eight months in Boston, Dr. Newton 
registered over 10,000 patients, a large portion of whom had previously been 
given over by ordinary practitioners as incurable. The most extraordinary cir- 
cumstance connected with these cases is, that the most obdurate ones have fre- 
quently been cured by a single effort. 

Speaking of his modus curandi, he says that his system of treatment is peculiar 
to himself; by it the vital forces become equalized. No pain is caused, no medi- 
cine given, and no surgical operation performed. It takes but from five to thirty 
minutes for inveterate cases of almost any curable chronic disease, and so sure is 
the effect that but few diseases require a second operation excepting deafness, 



IN NEW YORK CITY. 45 

epilepsy and consumption. Exceptions are also made to these almost instanta- 
neous cures, to broken bones, dislocations, bad curvatures of the spine and mat- 
terated tumors. Even these will be much benefited — always relieved from pain, 
and sometimes fully cured. Diseases that are most certain of being cured with 
one operation he states to be weak spines, prolapsus and all kinds of sexual 
weakness, internal ulcers, loss of voice, diseased liver, kidneys, heart, weakness 
of limbs, dyspepsia, rheumatism, bronchitis, diabetes and nervous debility. Par- 
alysis seems the most slow and uncertain with this treatment. Sometimes, 
though rarely, they have been fully restored with one operation ; they are, how- 
ever, always benefited. 

At the early age of ten years he first conceived the idea that he was possessed 
of the healing power in a great and extraordinary degree. At that period of his 
youth, however, it was hard for him to impress his belief on grown persons, and 
it was not until he had performed some cures that awakened their astonishment 
that they began to give his operations any attention. His first attempts were 
principally confined to warts and other troublesome excrescences on the human 
skin, in which he succeeded beyond expectation. He did not at first make his 
cures known to the general public, but rather confined them to select circles of 
friends and acquaintances. By degrees he became notorious, and wherever he 
was known to be he was followed by crowds of people, laboring under every form 
of disease, to the most of whom he gave substantial and sometimes final relief. 
The principal fields of the Doctor's operations have been Boston, Mass., and 
Cincinnati, where he has left behind thousands of witnesses of the force and 
utility of his skill. Since his appearance in New York he has taken the faculty 
by storm, inasmuch as people of every class and condition of life whom they 
have declared utterly incurable have found out his quarters and are every day 
pouring by hundreds into his operating room. He makes no vain boast of his 
seeming triumph over regular practitioners, but assumes it as a matter of course. 
Some of the cases he has on record are truly startling. A gentleman employed 
in a large house in this city, who had nearly lost the use of his limbs, for two 
years, suffering intolerable and excruciating agony all the while, and who had 
been given up by several physicians, was entirely cured in one or two operations. 
Another resident of this city, who had been reduced by the inroads of a cough to 
a frightful state of existence, was entirely cured in ten minutes, and has been 
well ever since. A lady from Jersey City, who had for years been suffering 
from goitre — a painful affection of the throat — was entirely cured in five min- 
utes, and is now perfectly well. This lady was so grateful for the benefit con- 
ferred upon her that she left her portraits to be added to the doctor's collection, 
and any one visiting his residence may now see the patient as she was before she 
was operated upon, and as she was after the cure was completed. 

This gentleman, who must be considered one of the most extraordinary and 
miraculous doctors alive, does not seek to intrude himself upon the public by any 
means, but is, on the contrary, singularly retiring and simple in his manners. His 
fame and reputation seem to be spread abroad by the unfortunate people to 
whom he has been instrumental in bringing back health and happiness ; and this 
is more apparent when the immense crowds of diseased people who swarm about 



46 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

his residence on every day of the week are taken into consideration. He never 
advertises his cures, nor does he appeal to the public in the way of some of our 
modern physicians. 

In a large upper room of his residence Dr. Newton has several hundreds of 
sticks and crutches, left with him from time to time by those who have passed 
under his hands, and have felt that they no longer have need of their wooden 
supports. This collection of crutches would be one of the finest investments 
that Barnum could make, and we should not be surprised if he were to nose 
them out before long, although it is very much to be doubted whether the Doctor 
could be induced to part with these trophies of numerous and successful en- 
counters with grim disease in almost every form. But seriously, the crutches 
are a study in themselves. One must naturally exclaim, on seeing them : — " Is 
it possible that this man could have cured all the former owners of these compli- 
cated arrangements ? " There are short crutches and long crutches, crutches 
stuffed with velvet and softened with cotton, crutches of ancient make and of 
modern contrivance, and an abundant supply of sticks and props of every kind. 
Each is numbered according to its period of deposit, with the name of the owner, 
his place of residence and the nature of the disease with which he or she had 
been afflicted. The sufferers principally labored under curvatures of the verte- 
brae, caries of the spine and swellings. They were relieved in one operation, 
and finally entirely cured, leaving their crutches as memorials of the past. 

There are several of the recent patients of the Doctor who still visit him at 
his residence, and when there they are quite willing to answer any reasonable 
question put to them as to the nature of their cures, and the amount and kind of 
suffering they endured before they had been cured. Our reporter conversed 
with several of these — ladies and gentlemen — and could find no reason for doubt- 
ing their testimony, which was generally as clear and precise as it could be. 

On being questioned as to his means of curing, he stated that it was utterly 
impossible for him to convey any adequate idea of the vitality which he brings 
into use. He was satisfied that he possessed this curing power in his system to 
such a degree that it would be impossible for him to operate upon a diseased 
subject without imparting to him a considerable portion of his vital force. 

In treating a patient all he does is to lay his hands on him, and rub the 
affected parts with considerable vigor; the sufferer of course wincing and dodg- 
ing under the powerful and unaccommodating arm of the operator. On these oc- 
casions the muscles of his body become distended to a surprising extent, the 
flexors and extensors of his arm becoming as firm as whipcord. In cases of 
deafness, he places a piece of white and another of blue flannel over the ears and 
head, manipulates rapidly for several minutes, and then blows into the ear. 

Our reporter saw several of these cases, which, to all appearances, were cured 
in from five to six minutes, as the patients when they entered could not hear a 
word, but went out hearing questions and answering them with comparative ease 
and readiness. 

The Doctor attends to from sixty to seventy patients every morning, and on 
an average from one hundred and twenty to one hundred and thirty every day. 

Out of all these patients he does not receive payment but for about twenty 



IN NEW YORK CITY. 47 

out of one hundred. On the poor and needy he operates without charge ; but 
others are expected to pay according to their means and position in life. 

It may be mentioned that Dr. Newton is a strong believer in the certain effi- 
cacy of faith and prayer; he thinks that the power which Christ gave to his 
Apostles to cure diseases is still in existence, and is only suspended for the want 
of faith. But lest any branch of the church should be gaping to swallow him up 
as a living example of the truth of their particular dogma, it may as well be 
stated at once that the Doctor, though positive in his faith and idea of curing, is 
nevertheless a very negative kind of a Christian, seeing that he has never been 
baptized, and that he regards all kinds of churches in the same light. Faith in 
Christ, and prayer, he thinks, are the only true conservators of his power. 

We have thus very briefly given the most important features of this man, who 
is now amongst us revolutionizing the'laws and experience of Hygeia. That he 
is doing a great deal of good those whom he has cured will readily testify, and if 
he ever does any harm it will be as readily known. There can be no doubt that 
his influence lies altogether in the great amount of electricity contained in his 
frame. Taking all his cures which we have not seen cum grano salts, it must be 
acknowledged that he has only acted upon his patients like a magnetic battery. 
It is not the province of the reporter to enter into any disquisition on the laws 
which regulate magnetic or electric science, but it is well and familiarly known 
in the theory and practice of medicine that many diseases which have failed to 
yield to every other kind of treatment have been eventually forced to give way to 
the subtle agency of magnetism. But these cures are not always permanent. 
What the effect of a living electric battery like Dr. Newton must be remains to 
be examined, so that justice might be done whenever it may be due. 

The following statement is from Dr. Bryant, Dr. Newton's secre- 
tary while in New York at this time. Dr. N. imparted the power 
of healing to this gentleman, and he afterwards effected many re- 
markable cures. 

STATEMENT OF FACTS TO THE AFFLICTED ! 
To the Editors of the Sunday Times : 

I am repeatedly called upon by friends and strangers who ask my opinion in 
regard to the treatment of Dr. J. R. Newton, now located at No. 32 East Eigh- 
teenth street, near Broadway, N. Y., — his mode of operation, its effect, etc., etc. — 
till it has become necessary for me to seek some channel through which I can 
give the desired information, making it general, and consume less of my time ; 
therefore I have selected this journal for my purpose, and in giving the public 
an account of what may seem miraculous, I feel no delicacy, from the fact that I 
believe I am doing suffering humanity an act of charity. Having spent nearly 
all my time for three years past under treatment of some of our best physicians, 
at hydropathic institutions, mineral springs, etc., trying all sorts of remedies, and 
obtaining no relief or satisfaction, and being pronounced by the medical fraternity 
as incurable, I was induced to try Dr. Newton. Without hope, almost helpless, 



48 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

having nearly lost the use of my limbs, suffering excruciating pain, and longing 
for the time to come when death would set me free, I submitted to the operation 
as a last resort. It did not consume more than fifteen minutes' time, when I was 
entirely free from pain, and walked away, declining the assistance of my two 
favorite canes, and am now in perfect health. Hundreds of my friends knew my 
situation, and are astonished at my sudden restoration, pronouncing it mirac- 
ulous, etc. Your ob't sen-ant, 

J. P. Bryant. 

" The attendance at Dr. Newton's at this time," says a narrator, " was very 
large. His house, which would accommodate about two hundred people, was 
usually filled, and often a thousand persons waited outside, making the con- 
fusion so great that policemen were constantly required to preserve order. 
There were many and remarkable cures effected, and many interesting cases. 
Among them may be noticed the cure of Mrs. England, wife of J. W. England, 
then city editor of the New York Tribune, and later of the New York Sun. 

. " Mrs. England had been paralyzed in the lower limbs four years. Mr. Eng- 
land called on the Doctor, who, after hearing a description of the case, said, 
1 Yes : I can cure your wife.' She was accordingly brought to his rooms. 
After working upon the diseased parts half an hour without any visible change, 
the Doctor said : 'I told you, Mr. England, that I would cure your wife, and I 
will do so. This is Thursday. On Saturday she will be well. At six o'clock 
set her up at the tea-table. She will drink a cup of tea, and afterward rise upon 
her feet, cured.' She returned home. Meantime the Doctor operated upon her 
several times at a distance. Nothing was heard from her till Sunday morning, 
when a note from Mr. England informed the Doctor that his household was in 
a state of great excitement ; that events had transpired in precisely the manner 
and at the time he had foretold ; that his wife was cured, walked half a mile 
Saturday evening, and her joy and that of her friends was unbounded. 

" This cure savored so strongly of the miraculous that Mr. Greeley refused to 
publish an account of it in the Tribune. It was, however, published in another 
paper. * 

" Another case was that of Mrs. Borasso, of Troy, N. Y. Her physician, Dr. 
Woodruff, brought her to Dr. N. to be cured of polypus in the nose. The 

* In reference to the foregoing statement, the editor has received the following : 

"Publication Office of 'The Sun,' 
" New York, Jan. i, 1876. 
" A. E. Newton, 

" Sir, — In reply to your inquiry in regard to the case of Mrs. England, now deceased, I 
regarded, and still believe, that Dr. James R. Newton was the instrument of her cure. She 
suffered no return of the paralysis, and lived eleven years after. The case was published over 
my own name in the New York Sunday Courier, Mr. Jas. L. Smith, proprietor, the same year. 
* * * * I was also cognizant of many other wonderful cures effected about that time by the 
same gentleman. 

" Very truly, J. W. England." 



IN NEW YORK CITY. 49 

Doctor said, * I can cure you, but not instantly. In nine days and nine hours 
you will be cured.' 

" Such was the interest in the matter, faith in some and incredulity in others, 
that many people awaited the hour with intense anxiety. A few moments before 
the time specified by Dr. N., Mrs. B.'s face underwent a series of contortions 
and nervous twitchings, and immediately she removed the polypus with her 
fingers and laid it on the table. The truth of this strange cure may be substan- 
tiated by many people." 



Among a list of cures published at that time are the following : 

Mrs. Mary Matchet, Newburg, N. Y., rheumatism ; lame sixteen years ; 
could not stand ; cured in fifteen minutes, and walked without limping. 

Mrs. James B. Stringham, Bergen Point, N. J., neuralgia and liver com- 
plaint — a very bad case — cured entirely in two operations. 

Chas. W. Dunn, ii Fourth Place, Brooklyn, 14 years old, cancerous humor 
in nose 10 years, with great discharge at his ears, and deaf; perfectly cured. 

Mrs. Catharine Cook, 13 North 3rd St., Williamsburg, lame ankle and 
general debility, could not sleep without anodyne for 3 years — cured. 

Wm, Van Wart, 228 Atlantic St., Brooklyn, lame 5 years, confined most of 
the time ; made to walk 4 miles by one operation ; left crutch. 

Wm. Easman, 163 Cherry St., N. Y., paralysis 21 months, restored in ten 
minutes; walked 6 miles without limping ; age, 57. 

Mrs. J. H. Newman, Cambridge, Washington Co., N. Y., -prolapsus uteri, 
internal ulcers and general debility for six years, had not been dressed for two 
years, and was unable to walk for four and a half years ; cured with one opera- 
tion. 

Mrs. Anna Horr, No. 2 King St., N. Y., rheumatism 12 years ; cured in ten 
minutes. 

Mrs. Jacob Sharp, 137 West 22d St., N. Y., heart disease 16 years ; cured. 

Amos A. Wilcox, Westbrook, Conn., wry neck and paralyzed arm, six 
years ; arm cured at once, and head to move freely. 

George Washington Orr, 53d st, near Sixth ave., lame knee and spine ; 
cured and left his crutches. 

Mrs. Mary A. King, Williamsburg, N. Y., cured of heart disease. 

Mrs. S. Higgins, Norwich, Conn., could scarcely walk for 15 years ; cured 
to walk miles. 

Chester W. Freer, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., weak and inflamed eyes, and 
deaf, cured; formerly of a delicate constitution, now quite robust. 

Joseph Font, 254 Houston street, cured of hip disease, five years' standing. 

P. Heresey, 463 Fourth St., rheumatism ten years ; cured. 

Mrs. Margaret Herring, Herringtown, N. J., cancer ; cured. 

Miss Phebe Atkins, Troy, N. Y., could not speak above a whisper for one 
and a half years ; was made to speak as clear as any one in ten minutes. 

Mrs. Jennie George, Newark, N. J., epilepsy ; spasms 5 years ; cured. 

4 



50 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

Clara W. Odekirk, Troy, N. Y., could not speak above a whisper ; restored 
to a clear voice at once. 

William Hartkopf, 333 Rivington st., neuralgia ; cured. 

R. S. Prentiss, 21 East Sixth st., very weak eyes 4 years; cured in five 
minutes. 

Michael Fitzgerald, Troy, N. Y., rheumatism, swelled and stiff joints j 
cured. 

Mrs. Eleanor Westervelt, 129th St., Harlem, deafness; cured with one 
operation. 

Miss Agnes M. Hall, 125 Thomas st., Newark, N. J., could not open her 
mouth for five years ; was made to open her mouth as free as any one in a few 
minutes. 

Miss Mary Ward, Tro)% N. Y., cured of fever sore. 

Mrs. Martha Rider, Cornwall, N. Y., rheumatism, could not walk for two 
years ; cured to walk well in 30 minutes. 

Mrs. James Anna, Nyack, Rockland Co., N. Y., prolapsus uteri 2d years; 
perfectly cured with one operation. 

Mrs. Sarah Slee, Richard st., Newark, N. J., cured of thirty years' deaf- 
ness. 

Peter Kelly, Sailors' Snug Harbor, could not stand alone, can now walk 
well ; left his crutches. 



AFFIDAVIT OF MRS. WILLIAM BAMBER. 

Boonesville, N. Y., Dec. 31, 1862. 

This is to certify that I was taken sick three years ago last February, with 
chronic inflammation of the bowels, which terminated in an ovarian tumor in my 
left side. It was drawn to a head and discharged fifteen months. It affected 
mv hip and limb so much, that the cords became contracted and I could not set 
my foot down to the floor. The knee-pan was immovable and calloused, my 
limb was nearly paralyzed and cold all the time. I had not been able to walk at 
all, or sit up much of the time for three years and three months before I saw Dr. 
J. R. Newton. I was afflicted with a severe cough for about three months 
previous to my going there, and expectorated a great deal, had constant pain 
through my lungs and shoulders ; I was also troubled with dyspepsia and cur- 
vature of the spine very badly, which caused me much pain and suffering. 

My attending physician for the first eighteen months was Dr. Walter 
Booth, of this village, a very estimable allopathic physician, with extensive prac- 
tice. We had for counsel Dr. Bass of this place, Dr. Runge, of Constableville, 
Lewis Co., and Dr. Gillett, of Western, Oneida Co., and several others were em- 
ployed during my sickness, but without any permanent relief. In May last I 
was advised by Mrs. Peck, of Oswego, who had been cured of lung diseases by 
Dr. Newton, to go and see him, as she was almost sure I would receive benefit. 
My ihusband took me there ; it was a great effort for me to go, as I was almost 



IN NEW YORK CITY. 5 1 

as helpless as an infant. I was taken from the carriage and carried to his room 
in a chair. The first operation he straightened my spine, loosened the knee- 
pan, and straightened my limb, and I was enabled to walk about the room with 
only a cane to support me. After the second operation I could walk about some 
without any assistance, and after the third I walked with the help of a cane down 
two flights of stairs and out to the carriage and got in alone. I was obliged to 
walk with a cane about three months. I am well of that now, and able to work 
and go where I please. I am confident that I would have been confined to my 
room now and unable to walk had I not gone to Dr. Newton, for medicines 
did not reach my disease, and I feel that I owe the preservation of my life to his 
treatment. 

MRS. WM. BAMBER. 
Subscribed and sworn to this 31st day of December, 1862. 

ISAAC GILBERT, Justice of the Peace. 



AFFIDAVIT OF R. H. HAVENS. 

This is to certify that I, R. H. Havens, of Fair Haven, Conn., had my leg 
broke on the 1st of November, 1855. The knee was drawn up and calloused for 
six years. I tried all the eminent physicians I could find, to see if my leg could 
be straightened and healed, but all to no effect ; they all pronounced me incur- 
able ; I used two crutches. I heard of Dr. J. R Newton, and as a last resort 
had him treat me. He straightened my leg and cured me, and I left my crutches 
with him, having no further use for them. I can walk ten miles any day, and 
jump with any other living man. 

R. H. HAVENS, 
Fair Haven, Conn. 
• New Haven County, city of New Haven, January 6th, 1863. — Personally 
appeared before me, Mr. R. H. Havens, the signer of the foregoing, and made 
solemn oath that the same is true. 

GEO. H. WATROUS, Justice of the Peace. 



AFFIDAVIT OF GARDNER ROWSE. 

Central Village, Conn., Dec. 25th, 1862. 

I, Gardner Rowse, depose and say, that having been for the last thirty years 
afflicted with an occasional eruption, or breaking out of humors in my leg ; and 
for the last two years previous to the first of May last, a continual eruption or 
running, attended with great heat and irritation, insomuch that I was obliged to 
resort to cold water baths frequently in the night to enable me to secure my 
needful sleep to sustain life. 

Having consulted many doctors to no effect, and as life was becoming intol- 
erable, I was induced, in May last, with no faith whatever, but as a last resort, 



5 2 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

to visit Dr. J. R. Newton. To my agreeable surprise and disappointment, after 
consulting him and receiving his treatment, in less than three days my leg was 
entirely healed, and has continued to remain so ever since. And I stand 
pledged for five dollars to run or jump with any man of my age and weight that 
can be produced, without any exceptions being taken for the once lame leg. 

(Signed,) GARDNER ROWSE. 

State of Connecticut, ) t 

Windham County. ) ss ' Plainfield, Dec. 25th, 1S62. 

Personally appeared Gardner Rowse, the signer of the above deposition, and 
made solemn oath to the truth of the same, before me. 

LYMAN SPAULDIXG, 

Justice of the Peace. 



AFFIDAVIT OF C. B. VINCENT. 

This is to certify, that I, Corsina B. Vincent, have been lame, at times 
severely so, for twenty years. In the winter and spring of 1S61 I became worse, 
and in May helpless, and was confined to my bed and could not be moved from 
it for five months. Then crutches were obtained, and with their aid (for I could 
not be carried) I could get to the lounge while my bed was made ; at no time 
did I sit up for an hour for more than a year. 

In June, 1862, a friend advised me to see Dr. J. R. Newton, but we had em- 
ployed skilful doctors of many places, and they had pronounced me incurable. 
It was not thought possible for me to bear the fatigue of the journey, but I would 
take no denial. I went with the help of my crutch still. I visited Dr. Newton, 
remained under his treatment for a few moments, arose and walked across the 
room, and have never used crutches since. 

My illness and the cure are well known here ; many names could be obtained 
of my friends and neighbors to attest the truth of what I here depose. 

CORSINA B. VINCENT. 

Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 31st December, 1862. 

GEORGE GRAHAM, Justice of the Peace, 

of Oneida County, N. Y. 



AFFIDAVIT OF B. FRANKLIN 

State of New York, ) gs 
City and County of New York. ) 

Benjamin Franklin, of said city and State, being duly sworn, deposes and 
says : That for thirteen years before May 1st, 1861, he had been afflicted with en- 
largement of the left knee joint, and for seven years previous to the 1st day of 
May, 1861, he was also afflicted with abscesses around the left knee joint, vary- 
ing in number at various times during that period from sixteen to seven ; that 



IN NEW YORK CITY. 53 

these abscesses discharged constantly ; that during the said seven years depo- 
nent always was compelled to use at least one crutch, and frequently two, and 
often a crutch and a cane ; that during that whole period of thirteen years 
deponent was under the treatment and charge of various physicians in the State 
of Massachusetts and in the city of New York, and was at no time during that 
period without treatment for his disease ; — that during the whole of that period 
deponent could not bear any continuous weight upon his left leg, and never 
moved out doors or about his business without crutches or a crutch and cane as 
aforesaid ; that the treatment of said physicians never resulted in any permanent 
cure, and hardly accomplished any temporary good ; that it did not close the 
abscesses nor strengthen the knee ; that on the second day of May, 1861, depo- 
nent called upon Dr. J. R. Newton, at his rooms, number 32 East 18th street, in 
the city of New York ; that deponent was then and there operated upon by the 
said Dr. Newton, for the before described disease ; that deponent went to said 
Doctor's rooms with his crutch as usual ; that after the operation and treatment 
by said Dr. Newton, deponent walked down Broadway, to the corner of Ninth 
street, without using his crutch, which was carried for that distance by a friend 
who was with deponent at the time ; that deponent from that day until this has 
never used his crutch and never has felt any necessity for using it ; that all the 
said abscesses healed within four weeks of said treatment ; that his knee became 
strong, and that deponent now uses his left leg with the same freedom as his 
right ; that he can and does walk miles without a cane or any assistance what- 
ever, and that he considers his cure permanent. 

BENJ. FRANKLIN. 
Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 7th day of January, 1863. 

D. JONES CRAIN, 
Commissioner for Pennsylvania, residing in the city of New York. 



AFFIDAVIT OF MARY M. OWEN. 

State of New York, | 

City and County of New York. \ ss * 

Mary M. Owen, of said city and county, being duly sworn, deposes and 
says: That for several years previous to May, A. D. 1S61, she was afflicted with 
the asthma so that she was unable to ascend a flight of stairs without resting, or 
to walk, except short distances, without great pain ; that about the time above 
mentioned she called upon Dr. J. R. Newton, in relation to the same ; that she 
was so much relieved by him that she is now able to ascend the stairs and to 
walk a distance of a mile without any apparent inconvenience. And further 
deponent saith not. 

MARY M. OWEN. 

Sworn before me this day of January, A. D. 1863. 

GEO. KELLOCK, Comm'r of Deeds, 

No. 1 Bond St., N. Y. 



54 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

AFFIDAVIT OF WILLIAM H. VAN WART. 

State of New York, ) 

County of Kings, City of Brooklyn. ) ss * 

William H. Van Wart, of No. 185 Sands street, in said city, being duly sworn, 
says : That some time during the month of March, 1856, he met with a fall 
which, as he was informed and believes, resulted in the hip disease ; that since 
that time he has been treated by several eminent physicians of said city, and has 
found no permanent relief therefrom ; and further, that the last physician with 
whom he treated informed this deponent that he was incurable. 

Deponent further says: That for the space of two years subsequent to said 
accident, and while under medical treatment, he was confined to the house, and 
the balance of the time, until treated by Dr. J. R. Newton, he was compelled to 
travel upon crutches. 

Deponent further says : That after he was pronounced incurable he heard of 
said Dr. Newton, and after undergoing treatment without pain by him, he was 
able to walk with a cane immediately, and on the following day walked four 
miles. 

Deponent further says : That he verily believes that through the instrumen- 
tality of said Dr. Newton he is now entirely free from said disease, and for 

which said Dr. Newton made no charge. 

WILLIAM H. VAN WART. 
Sworn before me this 20th day of January, 1863. 

ED. C. MOREHOUSE, Commissioner of Deeds. 



AFFIDAVIT OF CLARK MASTIN. 

State of New York, ) gs 
Cayuga County. ) 

Clark Mastin, of the city of Auburn, in said county, being duly sworn, deposes 
and says : That in the month of March, 1861, he was attacked with Sciatic Neu- 
ralgia, and at different times he was treated by six different physicians, all and 
each of whom said they could do him no good, nor cure him. That he could 
only walk on crutches and was a great sufferer ; he continued the use of crutches, 
and on or about the 1st day of December, 1861, he placed himself under the care 
and treatment of Dr. J. R. Newton ; at that time this deponent could not walk 
without crutches, nor could he put his foot to the floor. After the first opera- 
tion of the said Dr. Newton upon the leg of this deponent, he walked that same 
day about three miles without the aid of a crutch or cane. This was the first time 
this deponent had walked without the aid of a crutch or cane since his first 
attack in March, 1861. This deponent had one other operation on his leg by the 
said Dr. Newton, and this deponent has now wholly recovered. 

CLARK MASTIN. 

Sworn to before me, January 2, 1863. 

HORACE T. COOK, 

Justice of the Peace, Cayuga Co. 



IN NEW YORK CITY. 55 

AFFIDAVIT OF MRS. S. H. LOCKWOOD. 

New York, January 6, 1863. 
In justice to Dr. J. R. Newton, and from a deep sense of gratitude, also for 
the benefit of suffering humanity, I hereby certify that for sixteen years I was 
severely afflicted with prolapsus itteri. During that time I was obliged to wear 
Dr. Banning's abdominal supporter ; without it, I was not able to stand straight, 
or to, remain even in a sitting posture for the space of half an hour. I tried 
many remedies and was at considerable expense without deriving any benefit. 
I despaired of ever being any better, supposing my case incurable. In October, 
1861, by the advice of some friends who had witnessed some of his cures, I was 
induced to try Dr. J. R. Newton, and in a few minutes' treatment by him I was 
able to stand perfectly erect without the aid of the supporter ; was fully restored, 
and remain so till this time. 

MRS. SUSAN H. LOCKWOOD, 

87 Horatio street, New York City. 

State of New York, ) 
City and County of New York. ) 

Susan H. Lockwood, being sworn, says that the foregoing statement by her 
subscribed is true of her knowledge. Before me, this 7th day of January, A. D. 
1863. 

W. S. PINCKNEY, 
Notary Public, City of New York. 



56 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 



CHAPTER V. 

I N P H ILA D ELP H I A . 

Supposed " Miracles." — Opposition of professed Christians. — Support of influential Citi- 
■ zens. — The Press divided. — Notable Cures. — Attempt at Blackmail. — Arrest and 
Trial of Dr. Newton. — Great Interest. — The Prosecution breaks down. — Acquittal 
amid the Cheers of the People. — Affidavits of a large number of Patients. 

After a year of hard labor in New York, Doctor Newton took a 
week's rest, and then went to Philadelphia, locating himself at 
1202 Chestnut street. 

" Here the cures were so astonishing," says an account, " that 
it was rumored that he was performing miracles. The Doctor 
always positively denied making such pretensions. There seemed 
to be a spirit of opposition abroad against this supposed new 
method of healing disease. It prevailed almost entirely among 
professing Christians, who lifted their hands in holy horror at what 
they termed ' the works of the devil.' Notwithstanding, however, 
the sneers of unbelievers and the hostility of the church, his prac- 
tice there was a grand success, and his triumph over opponents 
complete. A large majority of influential citizens supported him 
cordially, and his practice among the rich and poor was very large. 
The public press was divided in opinions respecting the method of 
cure, but the majority regarded it superior to any method yet dis- 
covered." 

Subjoined are two noteworthy cases : — 

" Geo. Glover, of Woodbury, New Jersey, bedridden for twelve years, with 
spinal disease, sent for the Doctor to visit him. Ten years previously he had 
given away all his outer clothing, never expecting to leave his bed. With ten 
minutes' treatment he was able to walk around the house, and .in a few days 
visited the Doctor at Philadelphia." 

" The same day Miss Mary Lord, of Woodbury, New Jersey, who had been 
bedridden and helpless for two and a half years, was raised immediately, and 
enabled to walk down stairs and out upon the portico." 



IN PHILADELPHIA. 57 

While in Philadelphia at this time, Dr. Newton was the subject 
of a very annoying prosecution, with an attempt to extort " black- 
mail," which attracted no little attention throughout the country at 
the time. Concerning this affair, such garbled and incorrect re- 
ports were set afloat by prejudiced tongues and the hostile portion 
of the press, that it is deemed worth while to present the real facts 
in these pages. They are as follows : 

On the 3d of December, 1862, while Dr. Newton was attending to his patients, 
an officer entered his rooms with a warrant for his arrest on a charge of assault 
and battery on a little child about three years of age ! He was taken before a 
magistrate, and required to give bonds (which he did in the person of Dr. Henry 
T. Child) for his appearance for trial. 

The origin of this absurd charge was this : Several days previously, the child, 
named Eliza Burgen, had been brought to the Doctor by her parents (who were 
of the lower class of Irish), for the cure of a stiff knee. The child was constitu- 
tionally scrofulous, and the Doctor told the parents that he could not perform a 
cure, but could help her. The treatment resulted beneficially to the knee, the 
child becoming able to walk, as she had not done before for some time. No 
charge was made by the Doctor for this service. A few days subsequently, a 
scrofulous sore appeared on the little girl's back, which the ignorant parents at- 
tributed to the Doctor's treatment, and imagined he had dislocated her back- 
bone ! Hence this prosecution. 

After many vexatious delays, the trial was set for the third of March follow- 
ing. In the mean time, Dr. Newton was called upon to name a sum he would 
pay to settle the matter; but, regarding it as a clear case of blackmail, he refused 
to settle it in that way. The action was brought by one Lewis Cassidy, on be- 
half of the child's father. The prosecutor, however, did not appear in court at 
all, doubtless knowing that he had no case, but he turned the matter over to the 
District Attorney. The trial was had in the Philadelphia Court of Quarter Ses- 
sions, Judge Allison presiding. The court room was filled, and great interest 
was manifested— the public feeling being strongly on the Doctor's side. Hun- 
dreds of his former patients had come voluntarily, some from a great distance, to 
give testimony in his behalf if required. 

The following account of the proceedings is condensed from 
the Philadelphia Inquirer of March 5, 1863 : — 

Several witnesses for the Commonwealth were examined, among them the 
parents of the child. 

The mother testified that the child was now three and a half years old; 
that on the day before Thanksgiving day of last year, she and her husband had 
taken the little girl to the office of Dr. Newton for the cure of the child's knee, 
which had been stiff for some time ; that during the treatment the child was on 
its father's lap, with its face downward ; that in this position the Doctor pressed 



58 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

one hand upon her back, while with the other he bent her limbs back and forth 
several times ; that on the Sunday following the child complained of pain in her 
back, which the mother found, on examination, to proceed from the sore above 
referred to. 

The father corroborated the testimony of the mother. 

Several physicians were also examined, who said that pressure on the spine 
must be very severe to produce such a sore, and that acute pains would immedi- 
ately follow. They had never heard of such a case, however. 

[Dr. Newton states that, as was his custom, he pressed lightly upon the spine.] 

Dr. McClintock, after examining the child in an adjoining room, testified, 
in substance, that the child was constitutionally scrofulous. The kind of disease 
with which she was afflicted may be evolved constitutionally, and the attention 
may not have been directed to it until it became sufficiently developed to arrest 
attention. It may have come on insidiously for weeks or months before dis- 
covery. 

Surgeon Duffy, of the United States Army, corroborated the statements of 
Dr. McClintock, having also examined the child's person. The child was clearly 
constitutionally scrofulous. On being asked, Surgeon Duffy said it was' very 
improbable that the child could have been injured by the treatment she received. 

No one took the responsibility of testifying that Dr. Newton had injured 
the little girl, or indeed that he could have injured her by the operation per- 
formed by him. It was, indeed, generally thought that the disease was the re- 
sult of a constitutionally scrofulous condition. 

District Attorney Mann then addressed the jury. He said that he had taken 
care to call in the advice of the most eminent physicians, because he was influ- 
enced by a doubt as to the guilt of the defendant. That doubt was now settled. 
Therefore it would not be just for him to ask the jury to convict the defendant. 
It was the duty of the court to discard all prejudices. There was no evidence 
that the Doctor had acted improperly. His treatment might have produced good, 
or it might not. But he had done no harm. There was nothing to show crimin- 
ality on the part of Dr. Newton. He was clear of either blame or cen- 
sure. 

The jury, after a few moments' consultation, while in their seats, returned 
the verdict " Not Guilty." At the announcement of the verdict there was a 
disposition to applaud on the part of the people present, but the cheers were 
promptly suppressed.* 

Thus ended the trial, no witnesses being called in Dr. Newton s 
behalf. At the close, he received the congratulations of his numer- 
ous friends. 

* [Note by Dr. Newton.— Finding the testimony of some of the witnesses, as reported at 
the above trial, to be erroneous, and the account to be incorrect in some particulars, I have re- 
quested the editor of this volume to condense the report so as to present only the main facts in the 
case. I take the whole responsibility of this change. Those who may desire to read the full re- 
ports are referred to the Philadelphia daily papers of March, 1863. 

J. R. Newton.] 



IN PHILADELPHIA. 59 

This affair cost Dr. N. no little anxiety and trouble, not to 
mention the interruption to his labors and the great expense. 
The fact that the child had been treated without charge, and mate- 
rially benefited, rendered the ungrateful action of the parents 
doubly reprehensible. Much indignation was felt and expressed 
that the laws of the State were such as to permit the arrest (and 
imprisonment, unless bonds were readily procured) of an innocent 
person and a public benefactor, on the accusation of an irrespon- 
sible party, and that accusation so frivolous and groundless as in 
this case. 

Among those who stood by and aided Dr. Newton through this 
vexatious prosecution were Dr. Child, Dr. Gardner, Dr. Henry J. 
Burr, and others, who won his lasting gratitude. 

Many of Dr. Newton's former patients, who desired to testify 
in his behalf before the court, but found no opportunity, prepared 
and furnished to him affidavits and testimonials, of which the fol- 
lowing are specimens : — 

AFFIDAVIT OF JAMES SWEENEY. 

My family reside at West Chester, Pa., where they heard of the cures by Dr. 
J. R. Newton. I could not credit what was told, but to my surprise I have a 
cure to relate a greater than all I had heard, in a case of my wife, who had not 
walked q, step for nineteen years. I took her to Philadelphia to Dr. Newton, four 
months since; he gave her his usual treatment, causing no pain, and in less 
than thirty minutes bid her rise and walk ; she did so, to the astonishment of 
many present, and continues to walk well and enjoy good health. We remained 
in the city a few days ; meanwhile, the news was carried home, and crowds were 
at the depot to welcome the once afflicted, among whom was my own daughter, 
a young lady, who, seeing her mother walk the first time ever, fainted. On our 
arriving home, crowds were there and continued to come to behold the wonder. 

JAMES SWEENEY. 

Affirmed and subscribed before me March nth, 1863. 

WM. P. HIBBERD, Alderman, Philadelphia * 



* A note of inquiry addressed by the editor of this volume to Mr. Sweeney elicited the follow- 
ing reply : 

" Wbst Chester, Pa., Dec. 15, 1875. 
" To A. E. Newton, Esq. : 

" Dear Sir, — * * * In answer I would say, that it gives me pleasure to state that it is true, 
not only that my wife was made to walk, but that she has been able to do so ever since, except a 
short time when she was disabled by having her back injured. She is still able to go about and 
attend to her house. Yours, respectfully, JAMES SWEENEY." 



60 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

AFFIDAVIT OF JAMES H. HIBBARD. 

I am eighteen years of age ; live in the city of New York, at the Bull's Head, 
Twenty-fourth street, Third avenue ; I had spinal disease from a fall eight years 
ago. Some doctors said my back was broke; had been in six hospitals, dis- 
charged by all and pronounced incurable ; laid in bed three years ; could not 
move or stir ; lost the use of my limbs entirely ; when I came to Dr. Newton it 
would take me an hour to walk one hundred feet with my crutch ; could barely 
move my feet; sometimes had to-be carried across the street; after an operation 
of six minutes by Dr. Newton I walked two miles, without my crutch or cane; 
the second operation I walked five miles, and the third operation I walked nine 
miles; after that I walked one hundred miles in five days, without crutch or 
cane, and have been well ever since ; I have since walked from Philadelphia to 
Washington. JAMES H. HIBBARD. 

Affirmed and subscribed before me this 4th day of March, 1863. 

WM. P. HIBBERD, Alderman, Philadelphia. 



AFFIDAVIT OF MARY E. WATSON. 

My son, William Cary, son of Marmaduke Watson, Principal of the Price 
Grammar School, was for some time afflicted with spinal curvature, being unable 
to walk without great difficulty. His limbs were very much swollen, and he 
was rapidly getting worse, until he saw Dr. J. R. Newton, who operated upon 
him and perfectly cured him. He can now walk six miles without pain or 
inconvenience. MARY E. WATSON, 

No. 1766 Frankford Road. 
Affirmed and subscribed before me this 4th day of March, 1863. 

WM.'P. HIBBERD, Alderman. 



AFFIDAVIT OF ANDREW J. HAY. 

March 4th, 1863. 
Andrew J. Hay : live at Manayunk ; my wife, for three years, was unable to 
read, write, sew or any thing of the kind, by reason of debility of the optic nerve. 
Some time in November, 1862, 1 took her to see Dr. J. R. Newton, who operated 
upon her eyes. Before leaving his room she read several verses of Scripture, 
and has been able to read and write ever since, her general health being also 
much improved. ANDREW J. HAY, 

Pastor First Baptist Church. 
Affirmed and subscribed before me this 4th day of March, 1863. 

WM. P. HIBBERD, Alderman. 



IN PHILADELPHIA. 6l 

AFFIDAVIT OF PETER MANNING. 

Peter Manning, being sworn, deposes and says : I live in Bordentown, New 
Jersey ; on the 30th of October, 1862, I called on Dr. J. R. Newton ; I was blind 
two years and three months ; when I came to Dr. Newton I was so bad that I 
could not see a gaslight in front of me ; after ten minutes' treatment, without 
pain, I was enabled to see to read and write, and have kept my own books ever 
since. PETER MANNING. 

Sworn and subscribed before me this 4th day of March, 1863. 

WM. P. HIBBERD, Alderman. 



AEFIDAVIT OF DAVID ALLEN. 

David Allen, being affirmed, deposes and says: I live in the city of Burling- 
ton, N.J. ; am in my 67th year of age ; I have been troubled many years with 
spine disease, and in February, 1861, I had a fall and broke my hip; had been 
under the care of an eminent physician for six months; for a j r ear and nine 
months could not walk without a crutch ; the ^'mb was stiff, and painful to 
move. After fifteen minutes, treatment by Dr. J. R. Newton I could use the 
limb as well as the other, and have never used the crutch since. 

DAVID ALLEN. 

Affirmed and subscribed before me this 4th day of March, 1863. 

WM. P. HIBBERD, Aldermaa 



AFFIDAVIT OF LYDIA ATKINSON. 

A grandchild of mine, John Day Longstreet, had a fall on the ice last winter, 
by which his hip was greatly injured, and he became lame, trudging his foot 
along as if dead, having no control over it. After visiting Dr. J. R. Newton he 
recovered the perfect use of his limb. Dr. Newton has also restored to me the 
free movement of my left ankle, which had become stiff through the breaking of 
the limb some seven years ago. My son, John Longstreet, who was lame for 
twenty-six years, has also become perfectly cured through Dr. Newton. 

LYDIA ATKINSON, 
Burlington, Burlington County, N. J. 
Affirmed and subscribed before me, this 4th day of March, 1863. 

WM. P. HIBBERD, Alderman. 



AFFIDAVIT OF D. G. TAYLOR. 

I live in the city of New York ; am 73 years of age ; on the last day of 
December, i860, I was very sick ; had a bad cough for fifteen or twenty years ; 
it was said to be consumption ; at this time I was taken more severely ill than I 



62 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

had been perhaps ever before ; I had one of the best physicians in the city to 
attend me ; he told my wife when he left me that if I had any thing to settle it 
had better be attended to, for I would live probably but a very short time. Dr. 
Newton came in and treated me, and in ten minutes I was able to be up and 
dress myself ; the next day I walked two miles ; my health has been good ever 
since, and free from any consumptive symptoms. 

My brother-in-law was also cured by Dr. Newton of insanity, a year ago last 
May, and my wife was cured of weak eyes ; she was almost blind ; a tenant of 
mine was also cured of a fistula; he was so low that he was not expected to live; 
the next day he went to work perfectly cured ; his name was Mr. Bick ; I know 
of many more cures of like nature performed by Dr. Newton. 

D. G. TAYLOR. 

Affirmed and subscribed before me this 4th day of March, 1863. 

WM. P. HIBBERD, Alderman. 



AFFIDAVIT OF C. F. MUENCH. 

I reside in Harrisburgh, Pa. ; have been afflicted with rheumatism since 
1829 ; part of the time have been so bad that I was drawn quite crooked ; the 
least cold I took would so affect me with lameness that I was obliged to use two 
canes to enable me to walk ; I was also afflicted with internal bleeding, and after 
every other practice had failed of giving me any relief, I was induced to place 
myself under the treatment of Dr. J. R. Newton, which I did on the 26th of 
November, 1S62, from which time I have enjoyed perfect health, free from pain 
or bleeding ; he also cured me of varicose veins at a subsequent treatment, and 
at this time there is no appearance of any return of any of the above afflictions. 

I have also witnessed a number of cures performed upon others while I was 
under his treatment. One case, where a man came on crutches, in a miserable 
condition; in less than fifteen minutes he was able to walk, and in less than 
twenty minutes he ran across the floor and down stairs, leaving his crutches with 
the Doctor. 

Another case : A colored female was cured of paralysis, her hand being 
entirely useless. In less than ten minutes she was entirely restored, being able 
to lift a chair above her head with ease. C. F. MUENCH. 

Sworn and subscribed before me this 4th day of March, 1863. 

WM. P. HIBBERD, Alderman. 



AFFIDAVIT OF SARAH C. GLOVER. 

I live in Woodbury, New Jersey; my father has been troubled with spine 
disease since 1838, and for thirteen years confined to his chamber, unable to turn 
himself in bed ; could not bend his body or back at all ; could use his arms but 
very little ; with ten minutes' treatment from Dr. J. R. Newton he was enabled 
to get up and walk and go down stairs, and could stoop and pick any thing off 



IN PHILADELPHIA. 63 

the floor with ease, and bencl any way ; he had not been able to shave himself 
for ten years ; he continues very much improved, and walks out daily, and now 
shaves himself regularly. SARAH C. GLOVER. 

Affirmed and subscribed before me this 4th day of March, 1863. 

WM. P. HIBBERD, Alderman. 



AFFIDAVIT OF JOHN HERBERT. 

John Herbert, sworn : I am forty-six years of age, and reside in West 
Philadelphia ; am engineer at the Blockley almshouse ; I suffered for weeks at 
a time with inflammatory rheumatism ; for the last two years, at times, could not 
turn in bed ; suffered severe pains ; it would pass from one part of my body to 
another ; had a number of physicians, but had no permanent relief ; my feet 
much swollen ; in ten minutes' treatment by Dr. Newton the swelling left my 
feet, and I was relieved of all pain and swelling ; this was in December last ; I 
had a second operation of about the same time in the fore part of February, I 
think, and since that have been entirely well, and have no return of the disease. 

JOHN HERBERT. 

Sworn and subscribed before me this 4th day of March, 1863. 

WM. P. HIBBERD, Alderman. 



AFFIDAVIT OF JOHN CORKERY. 

I, John Corkery, testify and say : That I am 72 years of age, and live at No. 
1013 Carpenter street, Philadelphia; I have been partially blind for twenty-two 
years ; one eye I could not open at all, with great inflammation of the lids, and 
was a great sufferer from pain ; my eyes had been operated upon by eminent 
physicians several times, with absolute injury, until I became almost entirely 
blind, when, in the month of October, 1862, I heard of the wonderful cures of 
the eyes made by Dr. J. R. Newton, and was induced to visit him, when, after 
two or three operations, the inflammation entirely disappeared, and I was able 
to open my eyes and could see as well as most men of my age ; he also restored 
my hearing, which I was fast losing, and am now able to see and hear as well as 
most folks, and my general health has improved astonishingly, so that I appear 
twenty years younger than I did four months ago. 

JOHN CORKERY, 

Affirmed and subscribed before me this 5th day of March, 1863. 

WM. P. HIBBERD, Alderman. 



AFFIDAVIT OF WILLIAM V. MANKIN. 
I live in Woodbury, New Jersey. On the 21st of August, 1862, I was 



64 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

advised by Dr. Gardiner to call and see Dr. Newton for a cancer on the cheek 
just below the eye. I did call as directed, and the Doctor (Newton) treated me 
for it, and it is now perfectly cured. I had a career eleven years, and suffered 
pain all the time. Now there is not even a scar remaining. 

WILLIAM V. MANKIN. 
Affirmed and subscribed before me, this 4th day of March, 1863. 

WM. P. HIBBERD, Alderman. 



AFFIDAVIT OF ALICE TAYLOR. 

For some three years and a half I was without the use of my voice and was 
lame from spinal difficulties, for two years requiring the use of a crutch. Meet- 
ing Dr. J. R. Newton, on the 17th of September last, in the cars, he told 
me he would cure me in ten minutes. I accompanied him to his rooms, and 
in ten minutes my voice was perfectly restored, and I was cured of my spinal 
disease and lameness. I have been well ever since. I have had a great many 
physicians attending me, without experiencing any benefits arising from their 
treatment, until I came to Dr. Newton. ALICE TAYLOR. 

Sworn and subscribed before me this 4th day of March, 1S63. 

WM. P. HIBBERD, Alderman. 



AFFIDAVIT OF ALICE J. WOODBURY. 

I live in New York city, No. 251 W. Fifty-fourth street ; I have been sick for 
seventeen years, with liver complaint and dyspepsia and female weakness ; my 
stomach had become so weak that the mucous membrane had folded over, and 
retained the food until it rotted on the stomach, and I threw it up in that state ; 
previous to this my feet had been cold for four days, and I discharged the gall 
every morning ; my case puzzled the whole medical faculty ; my physician said I 
had cancer in the stomach ; I was given over to die ; all medical aid had failed ; 
I was not able to walk alone ; suffered intensely, beyond expression ; in this con- 
dition I heard of Dr. J. R. Newton, and my husband took me to him ; I could 
not walk \ in ten minutes I was perfectly restored to health ; the size around my 
waist diminished five or six inches in that time ; the Doctor desired me to walk 
across the room with him ; he then said to me, you can walk home, not knowing 
the distance I lived ; it was three miles ; he says, that's nothing, you can walk 
three miles to-day and five to-morrow ; on my way I took refreshments, and 
walked three miles in two hours ; after this, I went to my table, carved meat for 
the family and myself, and went to bed perfectly well and was obliged to get up 
in the night and eat, and since that I have enjoyed perfect health ; gained a 
pound a week for five or six weeks, and am eating and drinking with the greatest 
pleasure in the world. A. J. WOODBURY. 

Sworn and subscribed before me this 4th day of March, 1863. 

WM. P. HIBBERD, Alderman. 



IN PHILADELPHIA. 65 

CERTIFICATE OF MARY A. RUMER, 

I, Mary Ann Rumer, testify and say : That I am twenty-nine years of age, 
and live in Unionville, Chester County, Pennsylvania ; that for eleven and a 
half years I had been troubled with a spinal affection which, with a complication 
of other diseases, confined me to my bed the greater portion of the time, and 
during the whole time was a great sufferer from constant pain; for the last 
two years I was entirely confined to the bed, and subsisted almost entirely on 
water gruel ; I had been treated by several physicians without any permanent 
benefit ; on the 22d of October, 1862, I was brought to Dr. Newton on a litter, 
in so feeble a condition that it was thought by my friends I could not live to 
reach the house ; I was entirely unconscious, and was so low that I could not be 
carried to the Doctor's room, so he treated me at first in the hall ; I was then 
carried to his room, and within half an hour I was able to walk around the room 
and down stairs ; the next day I was treated again by Dr. Newton, and a perfect 
cure effected ; from the time I had the first operation my appetite has been 
perfectly good, and I have ever since been able to eat heartily, and am now in 
good health ; I have come to this city expressly to bear testimony to the won- 
derful cure of myself, for the benefit of suffering humanity. 

MARY A. RUMER. 



AFFIDAVIT OF JOHN DONOHUE. 

I live in McPlace, No. 3, Philadelphia ; am 33 years of age ; have been in 
the army, and from exposure took typhoid fever, which terminated in dropsy ; I 
was in the hospital at Washington seven months, and under medical treatment 
by naval surgeons, and not expected to live ; I proposed to my attending surgeon 
to recommend my discharge from the Marine service, as there was no hope of 
my recovery; my request was granted by the Colonel commanding; I came 
home to Philadelphia, to my family, and placed myself under medical treatment, 
and was twice tapped by my attending physicians within five weeks ; thirty-three 
quarts of water were taken from me in about three weeks ; I was full again and 
ready for another operation, to which my physicians said I must submit or I 
could not live; I heard of Dr. J. R. Newton, and thought I would apply to him 
for treatment ; I did so ; he treated me for about five minutes, and told me to 
call and see him again in two days; he treated me again for five minutes, and 
told me I would be well in about five weeks ; at the expiration of two weeks I 
found myself entirely well, and have enjoyed as good health since as I ever 
enjoyed in my life. Physicians and all that saw me said that they never wit- 
nessed a worse case than mine ; my legs were swelled as large as powder kegs. 

JOHN DONOHUE. 

Sworn and, subscribed before me this 5th day of March, 1863. 

WM. P. HIBBERD, Alderman. 

5 



66 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

, AFFIDAVIT OF MRS. HANNAH MILES. 

1 132 Pine Street, Philadelphia. 
This certifies that I was very sick for two years, and had many doctors with- 
out relief; my disease was liver, heart and dyspepsia. I suffered great pain 
all the time, and was so weak that I could scarcely walk. I heard that Doctor 
J. R. Newton cured all such diseases. I applied to and was treated by him with 
perfect success, without medicine. I am now in most perfect health. 

HANNAH MILES. 
Sworn and subscribed before me this 9th day of March, 1863. 

WM. P. HIBBERD, Alderman, Philadelphia. 



CERTIFICATE OF C. M. WALTON. 

Philadelphia, January 30, 1863. 
I hereby certify that I had diabetes over seven years ; at times I had great 
pain, and was very much swollen the whole time. I had a great many other 
doctors without benefit, but grew worse, until I went to Dr. J. R. Newton. 
After a few minutes' treatment by him I was cured, and in less than two hours 
the swelling was entirely gone. Having received this great benefit, I give this 
certificate for the benefit of sufferers. C. M. WALTON. 

Huntington Valley, Montgomery Co., Pa. 



AFFIDAVIT OF ANNA WILSON. 

Anna Wilson, affirmed, deposes and says : — I live at 443 York avenue, in the 
city of Philadelphia. I suffered with an affection of the spine for 15 years; had 
constant suffering and pain, day and night ; have applied to physicians without 
receiving any benefit. I was treated by Dr. J. R. Newton, and after an opera- 
tion of not more than two minutes I was entirely relieved, and have remained so 
ever since. This was last November, and I have had no return of pain or suf- 
fered the least inconvenience since. ANNA WILSON. 

Affirmed and subscribed before me, this 13th day of March, 1863. 

WM. P. HIBBERD, Alderman, Philadelphia. 



AFFIDAVIT OF ELNATHAN S. TALLMAN. 

Burlington, N. J. 
This certifies that my wife had lost her voice from weak lungs and bad cough, 
and could not speak above a slight whisper. She called on Dr. J. R. Newton, 



IN PHILADELPHIA. 6? 

and was cured by one treatment of a few minutes, and could speak as clear as 
ever, and has been perfectly free from cough ever since. 

ELNATHAN S. TALLMAN. 
Sworn and subscribed before me this 13th day of March, 1863. 

\VM. P. HIBBERD, Alderman, Philadelphia. 



AFFIDAVIT OF TYLER W. WHITE. 

I live in Burlington, N. J. ; am in the 48th year of my age. On the 16th of 
July last I fell from a cherry tree, fractured the bone of my leg and sprained the 
ankle joint ; I suffered severe and constant pain, day and night, for eleven weeks ; 
I had medical treatment without receiving benefit. I then heard of Dr. J. R. 
Newton. Before I came I could not put on my boot. The same day he treated 
me I was relieved at once, and have had no pain since. I put on my boot and 
have worn it ever since. The pain and swelling was at once removed, and I 
have had no return of it since. TYLER W. WHITE. 

Affirmed and subscribed before me this 5th day of March, 1863. 

WM. P. HIBBERD, Alderman, Philadelphia. 



AFFIDAVIT OF ELIZA BOGAN. 

I reside at corner of Eighth and Carpenter streets, in this city (Philadelphia). 
For thirteen years I had erysipelas, and an ulcer on my leg larger than my hand. 
I tried all kinds of doctors, salves and medicines ; but it continued to spread 
until I was treated by Dr. J. R. Newton, about four weeks since. He cured it at 
once, so that nothing now remains but a scar. ELIZA BOGAN. 

Sworn and subscribed before me this 21st day of March, 1863. 

WM. P. HIBBERD, Alderman, PhiladelDhia 



AFFIDAVIT OF GEORGE W. ROBISON. 

George W. Robison sworn : I live at 1625 South Third street, in the city of 
Philadelphia. I suffered witli the inflammatory rheumatism for two years, a 
part of the time confined to my bed ; suffered severe pain and lost the use of 
my left knee ; had several good physicians attending me and they gave me no 
relief. I then went to Dr. J. R. Newton ; this was, I think, in May, 1862. After 
an operation of five minutes I had full use of my knee without pain or medicine, 
and have had full use of it ever since. He also operated upon a large swelling, 
or wen, over my right eye, which has since disappeared. A number of doctors 
prescribed for the bunch over my eye, but without doing any good. 

GEORGE W. ROBISON. 

Sworn and subscribed before me this 25th day of March, 1863. 

WM. P. HIBBERD, Alderman, Philadelphia. 



68 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

AFFIDAVIT OF J. L. PAXON. 

Norristown, Pa. 
Having suffered pain in my right hand for ten years, from the effect of a 
bruise, I was induced to try the effect of Dr. J. R. Newton's treatment. In a 
few minutes I was cured, and have had no pain since. This occurred last Sep- 
tember. I have had the free use of my hand ever since. 

JACOB L. PAXON. 
Affirmed and subscribed before me this 19th day of March, 1863. 

WM. P. HIBBERD, Aid. 



AFFIDAVIT OF THOMAS McMANUS. 

I, Thomas McManus, of Philadelphia, have been troubled with chronic diar- 
rhoea from childhood ; have been under medical treatment many years. I took 
the most powerful astringents, which, instead of allaying the disease, seemed to 
excite it. I heard of Dr. J. R. Newton, through some friends whom he had Den- 
efited. They advised me to call upon him. I did so. He said he thought he 
could cure me, and I received his treatment. From that time to the present I have 
been a changed man ; my diarrhoea was instantly stopped. My general health 
is good, and I feel that I am entirely cured. I know that it was Dr. N.'s treat- 
ment that cured me, for I took no medicine. I called on him a second time for 
another disease : I had worn a truss many years ; I was also cured of this weak- 
ness and have no trouble or pain, or further use for a truss. 

THOMAS McMANUS. 

Sworn and subscribed before me this 19th day of March, 1863. 

WM. P. HIBBERD, Alderman, Philadelphia. 



AFFIDAVIT OF P. R. HYDE. 

I live 1237 Vine street, Phila. For more than ten years I have been afflicted 
with liver complaint and gall stones. My kidneys were diseased, my back weak, 
and great stiffness in my bones, so that I could scarcely walk. I tried many of 
the most eminent [physicians]. They all gave me different medicines, which did 
me little if any good. A friend said to me, " Why don't you try Dr. J. R. Newton ; 
he cured a friend of mine." I called on Dr. N. without faith in his treatment, 
and to my surprise, with two treatments of ten minutes each, without pain, I 
was restored to health. My complexion was made clear. I passed gall stones j 
left off my truss, and at once was able to jump, and even run. 

My wife was also since cured by Dr. N. as wonderfully as myself. 

P. R. HYDE. 

Affirmed and subscribed before me this 5th day of March, 1863. 

WM. P. HIBBERD, Alderman. 



IN PHILADELPHIA. 69 

AFFIDAVIT OF WM. A. YOUNG. 

I am 17 years of age, live 710 North 10th street, in the city of Philadelphia. 
I have been afflicted for five months with hip disease or dislocation of the hip 
joint, was in bed for four months, and could not walk during that time. Was 
treated by the most eminent physicians in this city without any benefit as to my 
walking. I heard of Dr. J. R. Newton, and resolved as a last resort to go to 
him. I went, and he operated upon me, and in a short time I was entirely re- 
stored so as to walk well, and now enjoy good health. WM. A. YOUNG. 

Affirmed and subscribed before me this 10th day of March, 1863. 

WM. P. HIBBERD, Alderman. 



AFFIDAVIT OF GEO. R. JOHNSON. 

My son, aged 1-7 years, was afflicted for three or four years with inflamma- 
tion in the eyes. He was in a dark room for seven months. He was not able to 
leave the house in bright sunshiny weather for a great portion of this time. He 
was attended and prescribed for by eminent physicians with little or no benefit. 
The last year previous to Dr. J. R. Newton's operation he gradually grew worse 
and I was fearful he would lose his sight altogether. In fact he was so bad that 
he could not see across the street. I heard through a friend of mine of Dr. J. 
R. Newton's coming to this city, and through persuasion was induced to take him 
to the Dr. I was skeptical, and had my doubts about taking him at all. On the 
last Sunday in March, 1862, I took him to the Dr. He operated upon him. I 
feared, at the time, he would injure the eyes, but in a few days' time it was evi- 
dent his eyes were getting better, and in ten days after I sent him out collecting for 
me. It was a bright sunshiny day with snow on the ground, about the 9th April, 
1862, and from that time his eyes have been well, and I consider him now entirely 
cured. He demanded no fee. I would have been willing to pay one hundred 
dollars to any one that would put him in the same condition he now is. 

GEORGE R. JOHNSON, No. 3. S. 7th st, Phila. 

Affirmed and subscribed before me this 12th day of March, 1863. 

WM. P. HIBBERD, Aid. 



AFFIDAVIT OF ANNIE GEORGE. 

I live 328 South nth street in the city of Philadelphia. Am 23 years of age. 
I was troubled with inward spasms, epilepsy, for two years, had them every few 
days. I have had doctors attending me. They appeared to do me no good. 
Through a friend that Dr. J. R. Newton was attending I was induced to apply 
to him (the Dr.). I went twice or three times, when he operated upon me for a 
few minutes each time, and I have not had the least symptom since. I am en- 



JO THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

tirely restored to health. My friends, who have seen me in the spasms, think it 
almost a miracle. ANNIE GEORGE. 

Affirmed and subscribed before me this ioth day of March, 1863. 

WM. P. HIBBERD, Aid. 



AFFIDAVIT OF CHARLES C. VAN HORN. 

C. C. Van Horn, being sworn, deposes and says : I live 1013 Parish street. 
My son, at the time of being taken sick, was nine months old. His disease was of 
a scrofulous nature, called by some scald head. He had violent convulsions every 
two or three hours, and we called in one of the best physicians in the city of 
Philadelphia, who stands second to none, and attended the child for two months. 
He cured the convulsions but could not cure the disease of the head. Some 
days he would be better, and again he would be worse ; he was very nervous, 
restless ; could not sleep ; his whole system out of order. During the last week 
or ten days of this doctor's treatment we had to keep hot irons to his hands and 
feet to keep them warm, they being apparently lifeless. While in this condition 
we took him to Dr. J. R. Newton, who prescribed for and treated him, and in 24 
hours from the time of treatment by Dr. Newton we noticed a favorable change, 
and in three days the natural warmth of the body returned, and we dispensed 
with the hot irons, and in three weeks the child was entirely well, wholly re- 
covered. CHARLES C. VAN HORN. 

Sworn and subscribed before me this nth day of March, 1863. 

WM. P. HIBBERD, Aid. 



AFFIDAVIT OF MARGARET GAGE. 

Margaret Gage, being affirmed, does depose and say : I live at 1452 Cherry 
street in the city of Philadelphia. I have been troubled with the asthma for forty 
years, in fact ever since I was a child; suffered so much that for four or five days 
at a time I could not lie down ; had to sit and sleep in my chair ; been almost 
strangled with it; have had the best physicians, but never received any benefit 
until I heard of Dr. J. R. Newton, through my sister, whose husband he cured 
of the asthma, and herself of the rheumatism. Over a year since he operated 
on me, and since that time I have been free from asthma, and feel that I am 
cured. MARGARET GAGE. 

Affirmed and subscribed before me this nth day of March, 1863. 

WM. P. HIBBERD, Aid. 



AFFIDAVIT OF SARAH E. TURQUAND. 

My daughter, twelve years of age, had lost the use of her limbs from scarlet 
fever ; she was perfectly paralyzed in body and mind ; she was so that when I 
took her in my arms her head and feet hung perfectly useless, powerless ; so low 



IN PHILADELPHIA. 71 

was she when I brought her to Dr. J. R. Newton, that I had her grave clothes 
made. It was observed by some one present, Why do they bring dead people for 
Dr. Newton to restore ? With three treatments of less than one hour altogether, 
she was perfectly restored to health, and jumped rope, and came to her mind 
and intelligence as well as ever ; she had many physicians of all kinds of practice, 
and paid them a great deal of money but they could not restore her ; they did 
all they could ; during her paralysis she could not keep any food upon the 
stomach; she is now in perfect health; I live near New Brunswick, N. J., and 
came here to give my testimony. SARAH E. TURQUAND. 

Sworn and subscribed before me this 4th day of March, 1863. 

WM. P. HIBBERD, Alderman. 



The following additional testimonials were received about this 
time : 

AFFIDAVIT OF LUCY R. DANNAKER. 

This is to certify that I, Lucy R. Dannaker, was afflicted for eight years of 
spine disease, unable to walk or stand, and one year with hip disease, confined 
to bed the greater part of the time. I had physicians to attend me, and found 
no benefit. I heard of Dr. J. R. Newton. I went to Philadelphia and was 
cured by him in ten minutes, so that I could run, jump, and leap. I am now 
perfectly well. I can do any work, and can walk, which I could not do before. 
I was cured by Dr. Newton in August, 1S62. LUCY R. DANNAKER. 

Bedford County, SS. Personally came before the subscriber (one of our 
Justices of the Peace in and for the said county), Lucy R. Dannaker, who being 
duly sworn saith, that the above facts as stated are just and true in her case ; 
further saith not. Sworn and subscribed the 8th day of January, A.D. 1863, 
before me. JOHN SMITH, J. P. 



AFFIDAVIT OF MRS. ELIZABETH J. HALL. 

State of New Jersey, ) 

Essex County. } SS * Newark, N. J. 

Elizabeth J. Hall, being duly sworn, saith that her daughter, Agnes M. Hall, 
aged about thirteen years, was suffering for about five years with a stiffness of 
the jaw, caused by the over-use of calomel. She was instantly cured about a 
year since by Dr. J. R. Newton, without giving her any medicine whatever. 
She is now well and has the use of her jaw, and can open her mouth without 
any difficulty. E. J. HALL. 

Sworn before me, January 7th, 1863. GERRIT SANFORD, 

Justice of the Peace, Newark, N. J. 



J2 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

AFFIDAVIT OF MOSES STRADLING. 

Bucks County, SS. Before me, the subscriber, one of the Justices of the 
Peace in and for the said county, personally appeared Moses Stradling, of Buck- 
ingham township, in said county, who, being duly affirmed according to law, did 
depose and say, that in March, 1861, he had an attack of diphtheria, and from that 
or some other cause he was afflicted with soreness in his left side about his kid- 
neys so that he could not lie down to sleep, and was compelled to sleep in a 
sitting posture. He mentioned it to a physician, who gave him something to bathe 
it with. He applied his prescription, but received no relief. He also had an 
attack of palsy in his left side and arm, rendering the arm almost useless, about 
three or four weeks before he applied to Dr. J. R. Newton, which was on the 5th 
of December, 1862, in Philadelphia. Under his treatment he was, in a few 
minutes, relieved of the soreness in his side, and has not felt the least effect from 
it since ; has lain down and slept as usual every night since that time. The palsy 
in his side and arm has been very much relieved, and he can now use his arms 
in many kinds of work. MOSES STRADLING. 

Affirmed and subscribed before me this 25th day of December, A.D. 1862. 

BENJ. S. RICH, J. P. 



AFFIDAVIT OF SARAH JANE BRIANT. 

Fosterdale, Sullivan Co., N. Y., Dec. 30, 1862. 

Doctor J. R. Newton — Dear sir : It is with pleasure I state the particulars of 
my illness and recovery. For eleven years I was confined to my couch, unable 
to walk or even to use my hands in performing the lightest labor, and at times 
unable to feed myself. The least exertion caused palpitation of the heart and 
other sensations, such as those who have been prostrated by nervous debility 
alone can understand. There were two intervals of time during these eleven 
years in which I was able to walk about the house — the longest was about six 
months. But for nearly three years before I visited you at your rooms I was 
unable to move only as I was drawn or carried. When I started, I was carried to 
the wagon, from the wagon to the cars, and so through each move successively 
until I was carried into your room in an almost exhausted condition. After sub- 
mitting to your treatment, without pain, which occupied but a short time, I was 
able for the first time in nearly three years to walk. I was restored to health 
and strength, and though more than six months have since passed I still enjoy both 
and attend my household duties. I have doctored with nine different physi- 
cians, and paid out much money, but received no benefit. 

SARAH JANE BRIANT. 

Sworn and subscribed before me this 2d day of January, 1863. 

N. MOULTHROP, Justice of the Peace. 

The name of Sarah J. Briant interlined before the signing. 

N. MOULTHROP. 



IN PHILADELPHIA. 73 

AFFIDAVIT OF E. H. DAVIS. 

Moorestown, N. J., Dec. 25th, 1862. 

I have been afflicted with spine disease two years and four months, thought to 
be caused by stepping on a needle. I had our family physician, but little was I 
benefited ; often I was entirely laid by so that at times I was fed, not being able 
to sit up or use my hands on account of the sickness that proceeded from the spine. 
I was able to read but a very little, on account of the pain in the balls of my eyes, 
till I came to Dr. J. R. Newton, on the 8th of October. Now I can read without 
hurting me. I have been twice to Dr. Newton, and believe myself entirely cured 
of the spine disease and of other inward weaknesses. 

I paid nothing, but money would not tempt me to part with the benefit I 

received from his treatment. ELIZABETH H. DAVIS. 

State of New Jersey, ) 

r ss 
Burlington County, ) 

Personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace of the township of 
Chester, in said county, Elizabeth H. Davis, who, being duly affirmed, saith that 
the above statement is true. 

Affirmed and subscribed this 25th day of December, 1862, before me. 

JOSEPH LIPPINCOTT, Justice. 



AFFIDAVIT OF E. A. S. CORSON. 

The undersigned affirms that for the last two years he has been under the 
medical treatment of three different physicians for tetter on the head, dropsy, 
spine disease, and internal weakness, without receiving any benefit therefrom. 
Since January 1st, 1862, I suffered greatly, could not use any exertion without 
being worse, the greater part of the time confined to the house and bed ; could 
not ride a mile or walk two squares without suffering intense pain. On Septem- 
ber 1st, 1862, 1 with great difficulty succeeded in seeing Dr. J. R. Newton. I went 
into the operating room scarcely able to walk and suffering much ; and after 
treatment by Dr. Newton, of not more than five minutes, all pain had entirely 
left me, and I felt perfectly well. That day I walked five squares and rode 
seven miles in a carriage. The next day I rode twenty miles in a carriage, and, 
was on my feet for three or four hours without any return of the pain. I still 
feel entirely relieved of all the diseases for which Dr. Newton treated me. 

E. A. S. CORSON. 

Chester Co., SS. Personally came the above named E. A. S. Corson, who, 
after being duly affirmed, doth depose and say, that the above statement is true, 
and further saith not. 

Affirmed and subscribed before me this 22d day of December, A.D. 1862. 

ALLEN W. WILLS, Justice of the Peace. 



AFFIDAVIT OF DANIEL CONDIT. 

Newark, N. J. 
I do hereby certify that my daughter was paralyzed in infancy upon one side, 



74 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

and has been under the care of at least five different physicians, at different 
times. She walked a portion of the time {but very imperfectly) until she was 
nearly twelve years of age. At that time she lost the use of her limb entirely, 
and all means used for her restoration were unavailing. In the fall of 1861, 
having been unable to walk for about three months, she was carried to Dr. J. R. 
Newton. After having been there a short time she walked from his office, and 
found no pain or difficulty in walking. She continued to improve from that time 
until the next spring, when she sprained the ankle and was unable to walk for 
some weeks, but has since recovered and is now walking better than at any time 
before. DANIEL CONDIT 

Sworn and subscribed before me this 5th day of January, 1863. 
W. BRADSHAW, Justice of the Peace 

for the County of Essex, State of New Jersey. 



AFFIDAVIT OF JOHN L. HALL. 

Edgartown, Mass., Dec. 25, 1862. 
This is to certify that I, John L. Hall, of Edgartown, Mass., having been 
afflicted with the spinal disease for over one year, and for four months so help- 
less as not being able to walk or even to stand, did, on the 21st day of July, 1862, 
apply to Dr. J. R. Newton, at Newport, R. I., and he so helped me that after a 
few moments — not exceeding ten minutes' operation — I was able to walk up and 
down stairs, and the distance of a quarter of a mile ; and have continued walk- 
ing ever since ; and he did the whole free of the least expense. Other physi- 
cians proved of no avail in my case. JOHN L. HALL. 

Edgartown, Dec. 25, 1862. 
John L. Hall personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the state- 
ment above signed by him. JOHN MAYHEW, Justice of the Peace. 

I hereby certify that John L. Hall is personally known to me. I saw him 
while on his way to Newport. On Monday he was not able to walk, but was 
carried in an arm chair. On Thursday of the same week he returned, and was able 
to walk with comparative ease. He has just called at my office with this paper. 
December 25th, 1862. JOHN MAYHEW. 



The following note was received from the Hon. Nicholas P. 
Trist of Philadelphia, with a handsome present of three volumes 
of the Life of Thomas Jefferson, who was grandfather of Mrs. 

Trist : 

Philadelphia, Feb. 20, 1863. 
To Dr. James R. Newton : 

A keepsake from two of his patients, Virginia Jefferson Trist and Nicholas 
Philip Trist; who, after upwards of five months' uninterrupted enjoyment of the 
inestimable benefits conferred upon each by the efficacy of the marvellous power 
with which he is gifted, make this offering as an expression of their grateful sense 
of the benefaction. 



IN BALTIMORE, MD. ETC. 75 



CHAPTER VI. 

IN BALTIMORE^ MD. NEW HAVEN AND HARTFORD, CT. — SPRING- 
FIELD, MASS. 

First Healing in a Public Hall. — Streets blockaded, and the Mayor appealed to. — Great 
Numbers Cured. — A single Case. — Brief Visit to Boston. — Cure of a Citizen of New 
Haven. — Is invited to that City. — Testimony of the Press as to the Results. — Visits 
Hartford. — Testimony of the Times. — List of Cures. — Visits Springfield. — Statement 
of a Local Editor. — List of Cures. 

" During the same year (1863)," says the narrative before us, 
" Dr. Newton visited Baltimore and was most cordially received by 
many of the most prominent citizens. He remained about six weeks, 
and here for the first time he exercised his healing powers in pub- 
lic, practicing in a public hall, free to all, every morning. The 
attendance was large, and the streets so blockaded that business 
men in the vicinity applied to the mayor to have him removed. 
The mayor said : ' No. Dr. Newton is doing a vast amount of 
good to the poor, and shall not be disturbed.' " 

In the afternoon and evening of every day the Doctor at- 
tended to patients at his rooms at Barnum's Hotel. A history of 
the cures performed in this place would fill a large volume. Only 
one marked case which created a profound sensation will be men- 
tioned. 

AFFIDAVIT OF SETH S. SOMERSON. 

City of Baltimore. 
I hereby certify, that on the 6th day of April, A.D. 1S63, before me, the sub- 
scriber, a Justice of the Peace for the State of Maryland, personally appeared 
Seth S. Somerson, and made oath that he was afflicted with spine disease twelve 
years, and was so drawn or bent over that he could walk only with two very 
short canes ; he had given up all hope of ever being any better ; he was advised 
to call on Dr. J. R. Newton, at Barnum's Hotel, and was treated by him but a 
few minutes and perfectly cured. He stands six foot, erect as any other man ; 
his health and vigor of body in all respects restored. He is well known in this 



y6 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

community, and so great was the change that his most intimate friends, even the 
members of his own family, scarcely knew him. 

JOHN B. WHEAT, 
Justice of the Peace, Baltimore, Md. 

After leaving Baltimore, Dr. Newton went to Boston for a brief 
visit. While there, Henry Hooker, Esq., came from New Haven 
for treatment, and the following is a statement of his cure as then 
published in the New Haven Courier : — 

A MARVELLOUS CURE. 

Mr. H. Hooker, well known as an extensive carriage dealer in this city, for 
six years past has been troubled with a difficulty of the throat which seriously 
interfered with articulation — reducing his voice to a mere whisper. During all 
this time he has not spoken one loud word — a truth that hundreds of» his ac- 
quaintances among our business men can vouch for — and, of course, a man so 
situated would resort to every means that seemed to promise a glimmer of hope 
of removing the affliction. Until a short time ago, however, he did not succeed 
in meeting with any relief. Being in Boston a little while since, he was per- 
suaded, having almost ceased to look for recovery, to consult Dr. J. R. Newton, 
a physician of that city; and Dr. N., to the surprise and delight of Mr. Hooker, 
after going through with a very brief series of manipulations — fifteen minutes 
was all the time consumed, if we properly understood our informant — assured 
his patient that his voice was as strong as ever ! Strange as it may appear, the 
friends of Mr. Hooker in this city have had oral evidence of the truthfulness of 
the cure from Mr. Hooker's own lips ! He has quite regained his voice, and 
very naturally uses it a good deal in praise of the physician who effected the 
restoration. 

Soon after, the following correspondence took place : — 

New Haven, Conn., June 9th, 1863. 
Dr. J. R. Newton, Boston, Mass. — Dear Sir : The undersigned, having 
witnessed the remarkable results of your treatment of several of our citizens, 
would cordially invite you to visit our city, and further extend the beneficial 
effects of your powers. 

Very respectfully yours, 

Henry Hooker, Edwin Marble, 

Isaac Thompson, Philo Chatfield, 

E. Benjamin, Jas. F. Baecock, 

J. N. Collins, Geo. Brown, 

W. A. Ensign, Smith Merwin, 

N. Willcox, Arthur D. Osborne, 

R. Chapman, Gardner Morse, 

Wm. B. Johnson, James Brewster. 



IN NEW HAVEN, CONN. *]J 

Boston, June nth, 1863. 

Gentlemen, — Your invitation to practice in New Haven I cordially accept, 
with many thanks for the courtesy ; and trust I may be able to do much good in 
your city. I will commence on the 17th inst., and invite all who are not well 
able to pay, to come "without money and without price." 
I am respectfully your ob't servant, 

J. R. NEWTON, M. D. 
To Messrs. Henry Hooker, and others, of New Haven, Conn. 

The results of this visit may be learned from the excerpts which 
follow from the newspapers of the day. The New Haven Courier, 
July 11, 1863, has the following unique editorial testimony: — 

TEN MINUTES WONDERFULLY SPENT. 

What follows is forced upon us to write by a great public interest, and must 
in no sense be understood by our readers as written for hire, as is too often the 
case with things in newspapers where money may, by the effect of them, be 
directly or indirectly caused to flow in given directions. We had heard so 
much of a certain physician, by the name of Dr. J. R. Newton, and had read 
so much of his doings in the healing art, in the local reports of the New York 
and other newspapers in various cities, that we thought it our duty to pay him a 
visit and study into the facts. His success while in New York was perfectly 
bewildering to the most skilful surgeons and medical men of their famous 
schools, and double carriages every day thronged the streets, for blocks each 
side of his residence, all containing some sufferer waiting for admission to his 
rooms. All the diseases that were ever written or printed, and a great many 
that never could be told by mortal tongue, were represented in all sorts of forms, 
of both the rich and proud of earth as well as of the humble and degraded, and 
presently their owners would reappear, smiling, jubilant and grateful, and we 
fear in too many cases, ready again for the vices or follies which must have 
caused a portion of these great processions of distress. People then talked of 
Dr. Newton in marvellous language — some of it so improperly extravagant that 
we shall not report it here : for there is but One from whom all life and health 
can proceed. It was plain to the whole city of New York, that the infirm and 
misshaped — often so from birth — were cured, and in a few minutes after seeing 
Dr. Newton went their way in peace and happiness and pleasure. This man is 
about forty-five years of age, of a very winning habit of speech and action, and 
speaks modestly himself of the rationale of his treatment of patients. He uses 
no ligatures, performs no surgery, and occupies from five to thirty minutes. No 
matter how dreadful the disorder may be, or of how long standing, the patient 
comes and goes — at any rate it is so stated to us by many citizens of whose credi- 
bility we never had a doubt — cured entirely, and oftentimes instantly. He does 
not say that he can cure in all cases. 

We spent ten minutes in his reception rooms yesterday, and they were well 
filled with men and women, who had come as went the Spanish adventurers on 



7$ THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

their long journeys after the waters of the fountain of perpetual youth. Some 
persons go to see him twice, as, for instance, for deafness, epilepsy and consump- 
tion, and instantaneous cures, where bones are broken, spines badly out of shape, 
and tumors matterated, can scarcely be expected. But such are often relieved 
at one operation. Those diseases that are most certain of being cured by one 
operation are weak spines and all kinds of female diseases, internal ulcers, loss 
of voice, diseased liver, kidneys and heart, weakness of limbs, dyspepsia, 
rheumatism, bronchitis, diabetes and nervous debility. Paralysis seems the 
most slow and uncertain. Sometimes it has been cured at one operation, 
though not often ; still improvement has been made at the first trial. 

During Dr. Newton's late visit in Boston he registered over two thousand 
patients, many of whom were cured, after they had been given over by other 
practitioners. What is strange, is, that the very worst cases seem at times to be 
the most entirely healed. 

He speaks of possessing a vital faculty — his appearance and energy of move- 
ment would indicate something unusual of the kind — and this vital force he infuses 
into those who, by reason of its deficiency, do not contain in themselves the 
power for their own restoration. Any one can go to his house in York street, 
and see the halt, and lame, and blind go in with crutches and spectacles, and 
supported by friends on either side of them for sustainment, and can in a few 
minutes see them come out without their crutches and canes, and walk gayly 
away. What a strange story this is. We cannot tell why Comfort S. Farren, of 
Main street, in our neighboring village of Fair Haven, was cured by this Doctor, 
of a tumor, and cured instantly — the tumor being seven and a half inches long, 
and four wide — and performed in the presence of Rev. D. Carroll. 

Albert Hyde, of Orange, Conn., cured of a large ulcer on the leg. 

Miss Martha Hotchkiss, of Westville, who was sick twenty-one years, and 
for the last two years bed-ridden, was caused to rise and dress herself and walk 
off well. She is now in good health. 

J. F. Lewis, West Meriden, was lame in spine and hip, and was enabled to 
walk off well, and left his crutch in the Doctor's office. 

Sarah A. Recor, of Plainville, Conn., was speechless for nine months, and 
cured. 

Miss Kate White, lame three years, cured instantly. 

Mrs. Robert M. Bassett, of Derby, Conn., could not speak for four years; 
was cured. 

Jessie Mallory, also, was cured, and this patient had a hip disease and was 
only ten years old. 

Harriet Parker, of 106 Canal street, was cured of rheumatism she had had 
since childhood, and her husband of lameness. But we don't want to put all the 
names in here — the proper place for them will be in the advertising column, if 
indeed they ought to be advertised at all. So much has been ascribed to this 
famous man, of power beyond our ordinary knowledge, that we ought to say a 
word, perhaps, to free his character from the blame which would attach to him 
did he claim that his cures were in any sense like the New Testament cures, or 
even did he assert them to be emanating from his knowledge of the Black Art. 



IN NEW HAVEN, CONN. 79 

He ma}*, for aught we can tell, be possessor of a wonderful faith that is of great 
potency, and which in ancient days could remove mountains. He must under- 
stand rarely, in order to discern the true characters of his sickly visitors. Perhaps 
some elemental principle of force, nourished in his own frame occultly, may so 
diffuse itself among the delicate sensibilities of all who come within his atmos- 
phere that they become quickened in new and healthful ways. Possibly he is 
purer than other men, and thus gifts have been given to him ; or may not his 
mere physical nature be strong to yield the vital material, by virtue of its having 
been handed down to him through ancestral vigor. His success may be owing 
to the great influence which healthy habits of thought will ever exercise over the 
thoughts which live in morbid bodies. One thing : he uses no drugs nor con- 
jurations, gathered from grave yards or hidden in uncouth places, where gloomy 
shadows in dismal, swampy vicinities furnish forth monstrous flowers of unnat- 
ural beauty and forbidden fruit, that have been sought after for their difficulty 
of access, and may have grown above decaying hearts. May not wonderful sub- 
stance, more precious than we in our infirmities can understand, be blended 
mysteriously with all our lives, and might it not be almost within our own power 
to be well and happy, were we true and righteous ourselves so far as it is pos- 
sible to be ? 

The Hartford Times published the following letters from a New 
Haven correspondent : — 

THE PERFORMANCES OF DR. NEWTON. 

New Haven, July 25, 1863. 
You have doubtless seen in one of the New Haven papers the incredible 
account of the seemingly miraculous cures wrought by Dr. J. R. Newton, who is 
stopping for a while at No. 152 York street in this city. These statements, 
although their entire accuracy was vouched for by the editor, appeared too mar- 
vellous to be true ; and I at once set down Dr. Newton as one of the sensation 
impostors of the day — in common parlance a himibug. Plaving by chance been 
placed in a position to see and test his cures for myself, I have found occasion 
to reverse this verdict, and to declare that he really does perform many exiraor- 
dinary cures. Having seen those whom he had relieved almost instantaneously, 
of diseases which had baffled the skill of our physicians for many years, I was 
induced to visit his rooms to-day. Hither come, daily, a crowd of sufferers 
under every (seemingly) form of disease, not alone from this city, but from the 
surrounding towns — some from places forty miles distant. The Doctor claims 
some powerful " gift of healing," and verily there are those who can testify from 
personal experience that his claim is not altogether unfounded. He makes the 
lame to walk, the blind to see. He, evidently, is actuated by a deep-seated 
religious conviction that he can, and must, relieve the ills of his fellow-creatures ; 
and if they are too poor to pay, he treats them cheerfully without money and 
without price. So far as I can learn, he has a dozen patients of this class to 
every one who pays. This speaks well for his honesty and sincerity. You may 



80 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

remember, in the published account of cures wrought here, the case of old 
" Father Goodwin," of " Legislative Statistics " fame. The old gentleman is 
well known in your city as well as here, and can speak for himself. But his 
case, striking as it is, falls far short of many others that might be named, and I 
mention it only because he chances to be known in Hartford. In the following 
brief additional list of cases just treated, the persons named can be referred to 
by any one who is incredulous. [These cases are omitted here as they are given 
elsewhere. — Ed.] 

As I was leaving, there came in a man from Colt's Armory, limping painfully 
with a stiffening rheumatism. The Doctor requested me to wait, "just two 
minutes," and see him brought out of it. I did so, and sure enough, the man in 
a few minutes could, and did, not only walk erect and well, but jump all around 
the room. In reply to a question from me, he said he had not been able to do 
so before for a long time. His name I have lost ; but he belongs in Hartford, 
and perhaps he will himself report whatever opinion he may have. 

I might also refer to Mr. Nelson Hotchkiss, of this city, and indeed to a 
dozen others, but this account is already too long. 

These cures are performed without causing pain, and without giving medi- 
cine, or any resort to surgical operations. What the Doctor's power is, I do not 
pretend to say. But that he is not a " humbug " I am now full convinced. 



DR. NEWTON'S MODERN " MIRACLES." 

New Haven, Aug. 4. 

The extraordinary' performances of Dr. J. R. Newton, alluded to in my last 
letter, are causing a good deal of talk, and not a little speculation, in this city 
and such of the surrounding towns as have been represented among his patients. 
And well they may. There is something in these proceedings that has never 
been witnessed here before. His house is thronged with men, women and 
children, suffering under almost every ailment that can afflict poor humanity, and 
astonishing scenes are every hour transpiring. He works by some hidden virtue 
or gift of healing, and never gives any medicine. What I have seen done, in 
cures wrought by his mere touch, I would never have believed on any evidence 
less direct than that of my own senses. 

To-day I went again to his rooms on York street, and there found five rooms 
full of people waiting their turn. It was a singular scene. Old and young, cf 
both sexes, the paralytic, the rheumatic, the lame, the halt, the blind — the suf- 
ferers from curved and weak spines (there were a number of these, chiefly 
females), pale victims of chronic internal maladies, whose pain-worn features 
told of weary years of hopeless suffering, rugged men with hands or limbs dis- 
torted by rheumatism or accidental injuries, sufferers from disordered lungs, 
stomach, liver, eyes, every thing — seemingly — sat waiting their turn to be healed, 



IN NEW HAVEN, CONN. 8 1 

like the lepers of old at the pool of Bethesda. The Doctor treats his patients 
in a separate room, accompanied by their friends when they wish it. Two 
minutes suffices in most cases, when they come forth, either cured, benefited, or 
pronounced beyond reach. The latter class seems to comprise the smallest 
number ; and yet the Doctor's patients are chiefly cases given over by their 
phj'sicians. Very affecting scenes occur between family relatives, on the sudden 
restoration to health of loved ones who had lingered for years as hopeless cripples 
or sufferers from maladies deemed incurable. 

I procured from the Doctor a list of 30 or 40 of his more remarkable recent 
cures; but they fill too much space for the limits of this letter. Indeed, it is 
questionable if some of them would be credited, if published. A pile of cast-off 
crutches in the Doctor's room, flanked by a collection of goggles and trusses, 
attests his success. These trophies receive daily additions. 

To-day a lady from Newington (Wethersfield), Miss Hannah Whittlesey, 
was brought in and laid upon the sofa, a pale and helpless sufferer, of whose 
case I failed to obtain any other information from those who brought her in (one 
was a physician) than this, that she had been confined to her bed most of the 
time for 17 years, but that during this period she had sometimes got out and 
walked with difficulty across the floor. All that I can say, therefore, of this case 
is, that when brought in she was unable to stir from her position on the sofa, 
and that in ten minutes' time she came forth walking, and walked, feebly, through 
the house and down into the garden and back. 

Mrs. H. Treat, of East Hartford, five minutes' treatment, enabled to leave 
her crutches on sofa, first time for two years, and walk the room without them. 
Elderly lady ; rheumatism. 

Mrs. , Milford, cured of spinal complaint ; had to be lifted and carried ; 

first time for years, walked, or rather ran, up stairs and down. I saw her 
do it. 

Mr. Rand's daughter, corner Park and Chapel streets (previously mentioned), 
is now apparently well. Her mother says she walks all about town. The day 
Dr. Newton was called to her bedside, she had been given up to die, and her 
father, when he left the house, was doubtful if she would live the day out. Her 
spine was so curved and diseased that she had been unable to walk for a year. 
When Dr. Newton was called all hope had been abandoned, and he was called 
as a last resort, in the father's absence. He came to the bed, stretched forth 
his hands upon her, and the girl arose from the bed, and stood erect on the floor ! 
She dressed herself, walked about the house, and then walked alone to her 
father's place of business, some streets away. When he saw her his strength 
forsook him, and he was only saved from falling by clinging to a post for sup- 
port. These facts were told me, with eyes tearful with emotion, by the girl's 
mother. 

Mrs. Nelson B. Taylor, of Bridgeport, cured of curvature of spine, and 
years of suffering, all in five minutes. Came forth exclaiming, " Bless the Lord, 
I feel I am well ! " and her husband followed, weeping like a child, for joy. 

Catherine, daughter of Christopher Davis, of Guilford, apparently 
about 28 years of age, bedridden for seven years ; loss of voice for five years ; 

6 



2>2 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

conversed by signs. Could not bear the sound of the flail in the barn, and grain 
had to be thrashed at a neighbor's. Was brought in on a bed, all the way from 
Guilford. In a few minutes she could walk and talk. From a skeleton, she is 
fast becoming like other people. I conversed with her. She talks as well as 
any one. Says she can scarcely realize it — it is like a dream. 

' Mrs. H. K. Jones, Kensington, very lame — chronic — leakage of joint- 
walked with great difficulty. In three minutes could run up stairs without touch- 
ing the banisters. 

Alice Weston, girl of 13, from New York — excrescence growing upon 
nose — family came with her. Dr. Xewton touched it, and said it would, within 
two days, fall off. It did — and to-day they brought the girl to show her. Scarcely 
a scar could be seen. 

I might extend the list — but enough. 

The following is from the New Haven Times .•— 

Dr. Xewton, who closes his residence here on the 7th prox., continues to 
treat crowds of patients. Our reporter visited his rooms, as a curiosity, not long 
ago, and there found a crowd of nearly 50 persons awaiting treatment — a number 
from adjoining towns. Some were there, too, who had just been operated on — 
one gentleman who had long been lame, but who had now left his crutches in the 
Doctor's room, and walked apparently as well as any one. * * * * Most of 
them seem to be cases that have passed beyond the reach of our methods of 
treatment, and many fail to be restored by the Doctor's magnetic powers, while 
others seem to be restored. Most of his cases he treats gratis. From the testi- 
mony of a number of persons our reporter gathered the following recent " speci- 
men cases " : — 

Mr. Merwin W. Davis, New Boston, Ct., came in on Thursday, swinging 
along on crutches — lower part of body and both legs paralyzed. Had been so 
for three years. A single operation restored him. He walked, danced, and 
jumped — and then sat down and cried like a child in his too great joy. He 
walked away, leaving his crutches behind. 

Elihu B. Day, Gilead — poisoned last January by bad vaccination — confined 
to his bed since last April. The Doctor was taken to Gilead to treat him, and 
in a few minutes restored him, so that he walked out, and went half a mile to see 
his neighbor. His case holds, and he is now (we hear) about his work. 

Mrs. A. A. Price, Hartford, cured of a heart disease of 15 years and loss of 
use of lower limbs. She continues well, and is enthusiastic in her testimony. 

Mrs. Benjamin Haskell, Wooster street, cured of chronic lameness. 

Mrs. Mary Jones, Hartford, very lame for three years — stiff knee — cured in 
a few minutes. 

Charles Williams, postmaster at Deerfield, Mass., cured of a lameness of 
eight years — shouldered his crutch and walked off. 

Amariah Briggs, Deerfield, cured of organic disease of heart of twenty 
years' standing, and chronic dyspepsia. 



IN NEW HAVEN, CONN. 83 

Mrs. Charles Slayton, Granby, brought in on a bed, to which she had 
been confined for nine years. Restored so as to walk about. 
We might name scores of others. 

A LETTER TO DR. NEWTON. 

"Bristol, Conn., Nov. 21, 1863. 
" My Dear Sir,— 

" May God bless you ! It is now three weeks since I was healed. It is 
eighteen years since I became a confirmed invalid and six years since I could 
walk till I saw you. My friends are astonished to see me so well. Sister Eddy, 
who was bed-fast, also continues well. Some say this is the work of the devil. 
If so, they had better change their doxology. 

" I have received a great blessing. I almost feel like one risen from the 
dead. 

" Your grateful friend, 

"MRS. F. L. WRIGHT."* 

The following account of a remarkable cure was voluntarily 
given to the Evening Press, of Hartford, for publication by a resi- 
dent clergyman : — ■ 

REMARKABLE CURE. 

Mr. Editor, — For the benefit of the afflicted, and in justice to Dr. J. R. 
Newton, late of New Haven, and who is expected to visit this city soon, I wish 
to make the following statement : My daughter, Minnie S. Davis, residing at 49 
College street, has long been a sufferer from spinal affection, which nearly de- 
prived her of her sight and of the use of her limbs. For months she had not 
been able to read a word, and for five weeks she could not walk a step, or bear 
her weight. July 27th she was carried in our arms into Dr. Newton's office. He 
laid his hands upon her, and made a few passes, when she was able to walk out 
of his office and step into a carriage by the help of my arm. From that hour she 
has been improving, and now walks about the house, and even into the street, 

* In reply to a note of inquiry addressed by the editor to Mrs. Wright, she says, under date 
of Bristol, Conn., Jan. 7, 1876 : 

****** The healing was great. I had worn a supporter for 18 years, was confined to my 
bed two years, and entirely helpless for 15 months ; had chronic diarrhoea for 13 months ; entirely 
lost the use of my limbs for two years, through female weakness ; had also a pain in my side for 
15 years. None of these have ever returned in the slightest degree — none of them. 

' Mrs. G. W. Eddy, of Bristol, a sister of mine, was healed six months before myself. She 
had worn a supporter for 18 years ; lost the use of her limbs every summer and fall for 8 years, 
through chronic diarrhoea. Was healed in ten minutes — disease never returned — is a healthy 
woman — does the work for three in the family, and averages to walk from three to five miles a 
day. 

" I was healed in Oct., 1863, in twenty or thirty minutes, ate a good meal, and took a walk. 
Thank God and Dr. Newton ! 

"MRS. F. L. WRIGHT." 



84 THE MODERN EETHE5DA. 

and can read several pages without paining her eyes. She has visited the Doctor 
once since, and so great is the improvement that we hope for entire restoration to 
health. Xo words can express our gratitude for this blessing. I make this state- 
ment for the benefit of the suffering who need his aid, hoping they will go to him 
in confidence and be healed. If any friends or strangers wish further information 
of this case, let them call en the undersigned at 49 College street, Hartford. 

S. A. DAVIS. 

The editor adds: — 

' f Dr. J. R. Xewton, referred to in the above statement of Rev. S. A. Davis 
of this city, will, we understand, visit Hartford about the Sth of September. His 
cures are very wonderful. " 

Dr. Xewton next went to Hartford. Ccnn. What took place 
in that city may be gathered from the following editorial in the 
Hartford Times: — 

THE NEW EETHESDA. 

Xumber iS Pleasant street is the attraction now to the ailing populace ; to 
that point the sick and limping tend. The spacious house, the great yard, even 
all the thoroughfares and approaches thereto are crowded with the sufferers 
who seek relief in the troubled waters of this new Bethesda. There is no angel 
there to stir the healing fluid, but Dr. Xewton, unaided and alone, by a wonder- 
ful gift, for we cannot think it science, bids the blind to see, the lame to walk, 
the sick to be healed, and they do see, they do walk, they are healed. Centuries 
back, we are told that wondrous miracles were performed by good men ; but few 
ever expected to find the maker of miracles with us in the 19th century, and in 
our own city. Yet here comes a man among us who by word, and the simple 
laying on of hands, banishes disease and gives the patient health. 

Hearing of these things, we availed ourselves of a kind invitation to visit the 
Doctor and witness some of his remarkable operations. The scene that pre- 
sented itself was painful to look upon. The large rooms were filled with in- 
valids. Here was seated the lame, the blind, the consumptive, the rheumatic, 
the dvspeptic ; all the ills man is heir to seemed to hover over this sad assembly. 
In one parlor a group was weeping over a pale sickly woman, whose appearance 
marked her for an early grave. 

The Doctor's method is to give the patients as they arrive, a ticket with a 
number upon it. When the number is called the holder of it is admitted to the 
Doctor's presence. His scale of prices for curing the sick are arranged accord- 
ing to the wealth of the individual. If any are too poor to pay, their cases are 
treated without a fee. Over the door of one of the parlors is a card on which is 
written, " Persons who cannot afford to pay are cordially invited to come with- 
out money and without price." 

Since last Wednesday, nearly eight hundred patients have visited his office. 



IN HARTFORD, CONN. 8$ 

Dr. Newton does not claim to cure all cases, but there are certain diseases over 
which he has perfect command, and always cures the individual suffering from 
them. The most remarkable cures he has made during his practice in this city 
are: A Miss Mary Ann Dunham, of South Windsor, who was lame for 10 years, 
on the 9th of this month visited the Doctor, and after spending a few minutes in 
his office walked out of the room without her crutches, apparently perfectly 
cured. The other case is a lad in this city, who has carried newspapers for 
years, named John Lehan ; he has been upon crutches for 13 years; on Saturday 
he visited the Doctor and was instantly relieved of his lameness, and can now 
walk well without his crutches. 

Doctor Newton is a very pleasant gentleman, and treats his patients with a 
kindness most gratifying to witness. In some cases, especially rheumatism, he 
makes the patient dance and run about as if he were up for a draft examination. 
He touches him with his hand, saying, " All right." " All well." " Now you 
are a new man ! " " Run ! I say ; " and off hops the patient, his face covered 
with astonishment as he sees himself actually running. 

We do not believe in modern miracles, but we certainly think Dr. Newlon is 
doing great good in his line, and we would advise the sick to see him. He gives 
no medicine, but claims to perform these wonderful cures through a mesmeric 
influence which passes from the system to that of the patient he is treating. The 
curious will find something to astonish them here ; and if free from disease will 
find not only something to excite them, but arouse their gratitude that they pos- 
sess the golden treasure — Health. 

The persons mentioned in the following list were among the 
many who received treatment from Dr. N. at Hartford, and after- 
wards called and reported themselves cured : — 

Mrs. Russell Landfair, Fair Haven, Conn., very sick five years ; bed 
ridden the last three years ; cured in ten minutes to walk out of doors. 

Mrs. Charlotte Savoy's son Lewis, 84 George street, New Haven, epilep- 
tic fits five years ; perfectly cured. When brought was so debilitated as scarcely 
able to walk ; is now robust and a picture of health. 

Mrs. Sarah Ford, Ridgefield, Conn., spine and female weakness eighteen 
years ; could not walk the last seven years ; cured in twenty minutes. 

Emma Chatfield, Birmingham, Conn., wry neck and spine disease, five 
years ; cured. 

Miss Libbie Hodges, Danbury, Conn., lung disease five and a half months; 
cured. 

Mrs. Mary Anne Dunham, East Windsor, Conn., very lame ten years, wore 
two crutches ; perfectly cured in ten minutes, to run, jump or walk as well as 
any one, without even limping. 

Mrs. Wm. Luthrop, Lebanon, Conn., spinal weakness three years : could 
not walk ; cured in ten minutes, and walked as well as any one. 

William Keith, postmaster, Tolland, Conn., cured of spasms that he has 
had from infancy. 



86 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

Mrs. ANNE Stowe, No. 5 Knox court, Hartford, Conn., large tumor on eye- 
lid ; cured instantly. 

Mrs. Frances A. Canfield, Seymour, Conn., spine disease and female 
weakness ; could not walk, or even sit up, for thirty-two years ; cured to walk, 
one operation. 

Miss Mary E. Scott, Danbury, Conn., lame nine years ; cured in twenty 
minutes to walk off well and leave her crutches. 

Mercy Bennett, Deerfield, Mass., female weakness ten years ; cured. 

Miss Celia Merwin, Higganum, Conn., very lame two years; cured in- 
stantly. 

Mrs. P. B. Hinsdale, 171 Temple street, New Haven, weak eyes four 
years ; cured in five minutes. 

W. C. Waters, 129 Crown street, New Haven, weak eyes fifteen years; 
could not see to read ; cured to read and has no further use for glasses. 

Mrs. John S. Farren, Fair Haven, Conn., dyspepsia; so low as not ex- 
pected to live ; cured in fifteen minutes and rode out next day. 

Mrs. Harriet Parker, 106 Canal street, New Haven, rheumatism since 
childhood; cured. Also sister cured of lameness. 

Mrs. Jane Mullery's child, Fair Haven, Conn., hip disease ; cured. 

Miss Elizabeth Bryan, 494 Chapel street, New Haven, bad cough six 
months ; cured. 

Albert Hyde, Orange, Conn., large ulcer on leg, cured in ten hours. Also 
cured of spine disease and sciatica, the effects of a fall. 

Miss Elizabeth Keith, Union, Conn., vocal organs paralyzed ; unable to 
speak ; cured instantly. 

Mrs. Jane Anne Hough, Hartford, heart disease and female weakness six 
years ; cured. 

Mrs. Ellen Wentworth, 7 Sheldon street, Hartford ; cured of consump- 
tion. 

Mrs. Darius R. Stockwell, Putnam, Conn., blind four years and three 
months, total with one eye; cured. Can read fine print without glasses. 

Mrs. Harris Smith, High street, New Haven, Conn., bad cancer; cured. 

Geo. Brown's son, jeweler, Chapel street, New Haven, weak spine ; unable 
to walk ; cured instantly to walk well. 

Mrs. H. Wilkinson, Collinsville, Conn., general debility ; very sick eight 
years ; cured with one treatment. 

Geo. S. Annis's daughter Mary, 590 Chapel street, New Haven, hemor- 
rhage of lungs twenty-three months ; cured. 

Wm. Barber, Westville, Conn., paralysis ; cured. 

Mrs. Mary Davis, Guilford, Conn., bad cough for years ; cured with one 
treatment. 

Mrs. Wm. Mix, 39 Crown street, New Haven, cancer ; cured. 

Miss Marietta Lyon, Bridgeport, Conn., seventeen years old, shortness of 
breath since six years old. The distress of her breathing was most painful to 
hear ; she kept her mouth open all the time, gasping and breathing three times 
where a well person would once ; cured with twenty minutes' treatment. 



IN HARTFORD, CONN. 2>J 

Geo. H. Howard, Norwich, Conn., rheumatism ; bad fifteen years ; cured. 
Also straight finger made to bend easy. 

Captain David Foster, Putney, Vt., sciatica three years ; cured instantly and 
left crutch. 

Miss Amanda Danks, Chicopee, Mass., neck perfectly stiff five years ; 
cured to bend freely instantly. 

Mr. Samuel F. Warner's daughter, Greenfield, Mass., spinal weakness and 
hip disease ; cured. 

Mr. Francis L. Cady, West Stafford, Conn., dyspepsia ten years ; cured. 
Wife cured of lameness and daughter of blindness, one eye was totally blind, the 
other nearly ; restored to sight to read fine print. 

Mr. Daniel Warner, Ellington, Conn., daughter cured of St. Vitus's 
dance. When brought could scarcely walk. 

Marvin W. Perry, New Boston, Thompson, Conn., paralyzed three years ; 
could only walk with crutch and cane, and a person to steady him ; perfectly 
cured October 14th in twenty minutes. Left crutch and cane. 

Henry B. Cook, Bristol, Conn., speechless seven months ; cured to speak 
well instantly. 

Elijah B. Haywood, Chicopee, Mass., weak spine and sciatica ten years ; 
cured in five minutes. 

Horace Warner, Ellington, Conn., weak spine and sciatica fifteen years ; 
cured. 

Miss Sarah E. Brown, Putney, Conn., nervous debility and spine disease ; 
unable to sit up for eighteen months ; cured. 

Mr. G. Morgan Smith, postmaster, South Hadley, Conn., paralysis; well 
known as walking with two canes for thirteen years ; cured with one treatment, 
and walks for miles without the use of a cane. 

Mr. George A. Mack, Windsor, Conn., lame knee and tumor ; cured in five 
minutes. 

Abigail Peck, East Hartford, Conn., bed-fast sixteen years ; brought in a 
chair; cured and walked out to carriage. 

Elizabeth Goodwin, 45 Asylum street, Hartford, hemorrhoids ; given 
over as incurable ; restored to health after twenty years' sickness. 

Jabez West, Tolland, Conn., asthma thirty years ; cured with one treatment- 

William A. Jordan, Thompson, Conn., rheumatism thirty years ; walked 
with a crutch two years ; cured in five minutes and ran off well. 

Mrs. Eliza Barret, Willington, Conn., sciatica and spine disease from an 
injury nineteen years since ; cured in ten minutes. 

Miss Hattie Field, Willington, Conn., could not swallow any thing but 
liquid for eleven years ; cured instantly to eat as well as any one. 

Herbert Warren, New Hartford, Conn., could not open his mouth for 
four years ; jaws locked; cured instantly. 

Matthew Ahern, 138 Front street, Hartford, cured of stammering instantly. 

Mrs. Mary B. Tingley, Boston, Mass., cured instantly of lame knee and 
ankle. 



88 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

Mr. James B. Beach, Ansonia, Conn., speechless nearly two years ; cured 
in five minutes, to talk as well as any one. 

Mrs. Robert N. Bassett, Derby, Conn., could not speak a word for four 
years ; cured in six minutes to speak as well as any one. 

Miss Kate White, Birmingham, Conn., lame knee three years ; cured 
:ns:an:.y. 

Joel H. Root, Bristol, Conn., ruptured ligament in right knee ; thought of 
having leg taken off ; cured in sixteen minutes ; called afterwards and reported 
able to walk five miles. 

Mrs. Sarah Cordelia Young, Branford, Conn., speechless ; cured in- 
stantly. 

Zebulon S. Kelsey, Huntington, Loraine Co., Ohio, weak eyes fourteen 
years ; cured. Wife also cured of lameness. 

Mrs. Almira Shelton, Bradford, Conn., cured of lameness. 

Calvin Albree, Durham, Conn., lame eight years ; cured instantly. 

From Hartford. Dr. Xewton next went to Springfield, Mass.. 
and the local papers thus speak of him : 

DR. NEWTON'S ARRIVAL. 

Dr. J. R. Newton, the celebrated "healing" physician, whose remarkable 
and wonderful cures have made him so famous, has arrived in this city, and 
taken rooms in the Washington Hall building. We announce Dr. Newton's 
arrival with great pleasure, and can, from personal experience, testify- to the re- 
markable efficacy of his practice, having experienced the greatest benefit by the 
Doctor's operations upon our eyes which have long troubled us by reason of 
weakness of the " optic " nerves, and for which difficulty all other remedies tried 
have failed. 

It will be noticed by consulting Dr. N. that he neither expects nor desires pay 
for his services from those who are not abundantly able, but invites the unfortu- 
nate and afflicted of all classes to call upon him at his rooms. 

We have been favored by a gentleman we well know, and for whose charac- 
ter and veracity we can personally vouch, with the following list of wonderful 
cures effected by Dr. Newton, as coming within his own knowledge : 

Mr. Thos W. Wason (car builder), Springfield, Mass., internal tumor; not 
expected to live ; was permanently cured in thirty minutes, and walked about his 
grounds. This is one of the most astonishing cures on record. The tumor 
broke and discharged a gallon or more. 

Cyrus D. Hall, of Burke, Vt., hip disease ; suffered pain all the time ; 
came to Springfield in May, 1864 ; used two crutches, and had to call for help to 
get into the " Union House ; '' entirely cured in one day. Left his crutches. 

Mrs. D. E. Remington, Montague, Mass., female weakness, general debility, 
no feeling on one side, tried every other practice without benefit ; her husband 
called and reported her perfectly cured with one treatment. 

Mrs. R. A. Brown, 67 Union street, Springfield, Mass., ovarian tumor of im- 
mense size : perfectly cured by one treatment. 



IN SPRINGFIELD, MASS. 89 

Mrs. Wm. W. Lee, East Longmeadow, Mass., heart and spine disease ; cured 
by one treatment. 

Helen M. Dow, Manchester, N. H., lame many years ; in pain all the time ; 
cured in ten minutes and left her crutch. Called afterwards and reported her- 
self perfectly well. 

Mrs. Alzina M. Dunklee, Burke, Vt, cancer in jaw fifteen years ; brought 
a large phial full of bones as evidence of her suffering ; cured by one treatment 
of a few minutes. 

Miss Sophia Steele, Springfield, Mass., asthma ; for twenty-nine years un- 
able to lie down to rest ; after five minutes' treatment she was perfectly relieved. 

Geo. D. Scott, Hartford, Conn., spinal complaint ; crooked forward very 
badly ; cured by one treatment to stand as straight as any man. 

Mrs. Mary Barrows, Rockville, Conn., terrible case of nervous excitability 
for eight years ; cured in five minutes. 

H. R. Foster, Paper-Mill Village, N. PL, speechless for one year ; cured 
instantly. 

Mrs. Luke Pratt, Central street, Springfield, Mass., lame five years ; cured 
in ten minutes and walked out of the house to meet her husband. 

Amasa Rider, Greenfield, Mass.. pronounced incurable of a painful disease 
by the most eminent physicians in the country. Received only about five min- 
utes' treatment and reported herself perfectly cured in three days. 

Rev. Mrs. Abbott, Windsor, Vt., could not walk or sit up for fourteen years ; 
cured to walk well instantly. 

Mrs. William McCrae, West Concord, Vt., paralyzed five years ; spinal 
disease and liver complaint ; cured in ten minutes and walked a mile. 

Mrs. Martha G. Gould, 157 Central street, Springfield, Mass., ovarian 
tumor over two years ; cured with one treatment. All passed off the next day. 

Mrs. A. R. Carroll, her son, a lad thirteen years of age, Dwight street, 
Springfield, Mass., St. Vitus' dance ; cured in one treatment. 

Dinexia S. Hawks, Charlemont, Mass., born blind ; led to the rooms un- 
able to see more than to tell light from darkness; enabled to see in twenty 
minutes. 

Lewis Dewolf, Deerfield, Mass., blind with one eye, a thick white mem- 
brane covering it ; restored to see well with one treatment. 

Mrs. Martha S. Jones, Emery street, Springfield, Mass., bed-ridden two 
years; very sick for five years; cured in five minutes to dress and walk out; 
called many times at the rooms to express gratitude for the cure. 

Mrs. L. F. Titcomb, West Springfield, Mass., female weakness and dyspep- 
sia twenty years ; cured with one treatment. 

Mrs. Edgar Holcomb, Granville Corners, Mass., sick twelve years, confined 
four years ; brought eighteen miles on a bed ; cured in a few minutes. 

G. W. Thayer, Cedar street, Springfield, lame arm two years ; cured in ten 
minutes. 

Mrs. C. H. Fassaur, 13 Wilcox street, Springfield, cancer, with great pain; 
cured. 

Mrs. John W. Clark, Springfield, neuralgia, very bad ; cured. 



90 THE MODERN BETHE5DA. 

Amelia 3. Phelps, Wilbraham, spinal disease for four years ; cured in a few 
minutes and walked two miles. 

Mrs. Leverett Smith, State street, tumor ; cured. 

Mrs. Lottie Currier, Conway, Mass., lame and stiff knee ; cured instantly. 

Miss Caroline Xador, 3 Congress street, Springfield, weak and inflamed 
eye ; cured. 

Miss Amanda Hartkan, Xo. 149 Central street, Springfield, spinal disease 
and female weakness ; very sick, not expected to live ; cured in a few minutes 
on the evening of March 21st, so that she arose from her bed, dressed herself, 
and went to a neighboring house and notified the lady who was to watch with her 
that her services were not needed. The next morning she walked three miles, 
since which she devotes her time to bringing the sick and afflicted to be healed. 

Mrs. Sarah P. Cook, Hadley, Mass., ovarian tumor, twenty-two years ; cured. 

Mrs. George Bosworth, Palmer, Mass., tumor in breast ; cured instantly. 

Miss Sybil B. Clapp, Montague, Mass., spasms twenty years ; cured. 

Miss Arabella C. Gibbs, Albany, X. Y., spinal disease and lame ; cured. 

Mrs. Henrietta Davis, 34 Mulbury street, Springfield, swelled liver ; not 
expected to live ; cured. 

Mrs. L. L. Stead max, Chicopee, Mass., lame ; came with two crutches; in 
a few minutes walked off well, and left her crutches. 

Mrs. John Fisher, 25 West Union street, hernia : cured. 

Mrs. Caroline Pomeroy, Becket, Mass., deafness seven years ; cured. 

Mrs. Ellen Wood, corner of Union and Main streets, St. Vitus' dance and 
dropsy ; cured with one treatment. 

Mrs. Julia S. Chapin, Chicopee, general weakness ; unable to walk without 
crutches ; after one treatment reported herself perfectly cured. 

Mrs. Benjamin Purington, Willimantic, Conn., consumptive three years ; 
failing fast ; perfectly cured. 

Mrs. George Taylor, Granby, Mass., sick twenty-one years, for seven years 
unable to walk ; brought twelve miles on a bed ; cured in five minutes, and made 
to walk perfectly well. 

Mr. Josiah T. Hunt, Cummington, Mass., paralysis entire left side, the leg 
entirely useless ; cured in a few minutes, walked off well, and left his crutches. 
His mother, who had been paralyzed five years, was cured at the same time. 

Miss Clara D. Gardner, Chicopee, Mass., spinal disease twenty-two years ; 
cured. 

Miss Carrie Jenks, twelve years old, daughter of Allen Jenks, Esq., of 
Mulbury street, Springfield, spine disease and withered limbs ; came on crutches ; 
was perfectlv cured in a few minutes, ran and jumped as well as any one. Her 
limbs are now of natural size. An eminent physician of Springfield, hearing that 
she was to be carried to Dr. Xewton, declared it was all mesmerism, and that 
he could do it as well as any one. He made the attempt, but without success. 
He then said, " If he can cure her, I will think there is something in it." 

Mrs. Winthrop P. Houston, Xorth Amherst, Mass., general debility ; un- 
able to walk for eighteen months ; cured with one treatment ; has since reported 
herself perfectly well. 



IN SPRINGFIELD, MASS. 91 

WONDERFUL CURE BY DR. NEWTON. 

Dr. Newton is still working wonders upon the sick and lame at Union Hall, 
who fairly crowd his rooms, some coming from a long distance. One of his 
most remarkable cures has been performed upon Mr. T. W. Wason of this city, 
who was down with a severe attack of what was considered diphtheria, accompa- 
nied by neuralgia in the head. Dr. Newton visited him on Tuesday last, re- 
moved his difficulties almost instantly, and cured him besides of an internal 
tumor of several years' growth. Our citizens know Mr. Wason for a matter of 
fact man, not likely to be imposed upon, and he gives very strong reasons for his 
faith in Dr. Newton. 



92 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 



CHAPTER VII. 

VALUABLE REMEDIES AND HEALTH MAXIMS. 

Hot Water as a Remedial Agent. — Treatment of Insanity. — A Case. — Drug Medicines. — 
Health Maxims. — Vaccination. — Gall Stones, how removed. — Sleeping with the Hands 
to the Head. — Breathing Tubes. 

To relieve the monotony of these narratives of wonderful cures, 
the following paper written by Dr. Newton, setting forth his views 
on several questions in therapeutics, is here introduced — albeit the 
illustrative cases therein referred to are brought to notice out of 
their chronological order. 

HOT WATER AS A REMEDIAL AGENT. 

Second in importance to magnetism in the treatment of certain 
diseases is the use of hot water. It is a cure for softening of the 
brain, neuralgia, delirium tremens, brain fever, effects of sun-strokes, 
scrofula and scald-head. Even insanity in nine cases out of ten 
can thus be cured. 

My manner of treatment is this : I have the faucets of the bath 
connected by a rubber tube, with which is connected a three-eighths 
inch tube of convenient length, through which I have a stream of 
water of the temperature of 118 to 120 degrees, flow over the head 
of the patient. For insanity, this is done three times a day, thirty 
minutes each time, for a period of ten to thirty days, as the case 
may require, when a permanent cure will be the result. 

Hot water may also be used with success in treating other dis- 
eases, such as affections of the spine and kidneys, even diabetes 
and Bright's disease. I scarcely ever fail to cure this last named 
disease, even though the patient be advanced in years. Such a 
case was that of C. H. Reed, 26th and Howard streets, San Fran- 
cisco. He was so low with Bright's disease of the kidneys that his 
case was regarded as hopeless. I felt sure, however, that I could 



VALUABLE REMEDIES, ETC. 93 

cure him, and so assured him. His wife, following me to the door 
in tears, said : " You are flattering him ! You do not mean that 
he can be cured ! " I told her I was confident of success. With 
magnetic treatment and the persistent use of hot water on his back 
[for three weeks, for thirty minutes thrice a day, he was cured. 

Another extreme case was that of Captain Cole Farnsworth, of 
Astoria, Oregon. He was afflicted with asthma, a consumptive 
cough and Bright's disease. He had not lain down for forty days 
and nights, but had sat in his chair with his head resting on the 
back of another chair, or on a cane, and suffered constant pain. 
He was taken to my hotel in San Francisco. I made the hot 
water application three times a day, pouring it down the spine, 
across the kidneys, causing profuse perspiration, giving at the same 
time magnetic treatment, and in three weeks he left the hotel a 
well man and returned to Oregon. 

Lame limbs, sores, ulcers, and even cancers can be cured or 
benefited by the use of hot water ; also weak or inflamed eyes. 
The same bath should be given in cases of inflammatory rheuma- 
tism. It is a sure cure within a week, even though the whole body 
be afflicted. I use it in extreme cases only, and when time and 
circumstances allow. But from the success that has attended its 
application, I can confidently recommend it to every one as a 
valuable remedial agent in the treatment of these diseases. In 
any case it is a powerful auxiliary, and, when proper magnetic 
treatment cannot be obtained, a good substitute. 

The following is taken from the Banner of Light :— 

A CASE OF INSANITY CURED BY DR. J. R. NEWTON. 

A case of insanity in its worst form was successfully treated recently by Dr. 
J. R. Newton, 35 Harrison avenue, Boston, under the following circumstances : 

Six months since, Mr. — — , of , brought his son, a young man, to be cured. 

He was taken directly from the lunatic asylum in . The father was ad- 
vised not to bring him, as he could not live to get here. Mr. said : " I 

will carry my child to Dr. Newton, if he dies by the way." His condition 
seemed utterly hopeless. Much confidence was given Mr. by the represen- 
tations of a prominent merchant in this city, who stated that he had been cured 
of a bad case of catarrh by Dr. N., with one treatment, and that a lady friend of 
his was perfectly relieved of insanity, fifteen months since, after having been in 
two asylums. Her case had been pronounced incurable by several physicians ; 
but since the Doctor's treatment, she has continued well to this time. 



94 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

Young Mr. is now a picture of health and happiness, and has charge of 

a branch of his father's business. His mother, who had turned gray with sor- 
row in a year, for the confinement of her dear son, writes to Dr. Newton the 
following letter: 

My Dear Dr. Newton : — 

Allow me to address you, to express my gratitude for the great good you 
have done me and mine. I have been trying to write you ever since you restored 
my darling son to me in such perfect health. I am so happy ! My joy is un- 
speakable ! I have not words to express fully my joy and gratitude. And he is 
so happy too ! He never was so free to converse as at the present time. 

My whole soul flows out in gratitude to God and to you for his restoration. 
My prayer is, that He may prolong your life to make other souls glad and 
happy. 

MRS. . 

Other cases might be cited, but I forbear. 

I have never known any one restored, and but few benefited, 
by confinement in an asylum, while I have seen many whose cases 
were rendered more hopeless thereby. In mild cases the patient 
should never be placed in confinement. The physical organism is 
diseased ; and with proper magnetic treatment, and other treat- 
ment, such as I have described for the brain, with rest and quiet, 
and pleasant surroundings, he will soon be restored to health. 

MEDICINES. 

I am opposed on general principles to the use of drug-medi- 
cines. The injury to the system far overbalances the benefits re- 
ceived. Anodynes, emetics and cathartics all have their respective 
uses, and are sometimes a necessity. I do not say that medical 
doctors never cure, but I believe that the magnetism that is im- 
parted with their medicines, unconsciously to themselves, no 
doubt, does more toward curing disease than the medicines admin- 
istered. I once knew an eminent physician in charge of a hospital 
for the sick, who, for two years, gave his patients only bread pills, 
and his success was greater than he had ever had before. 

There are exceptional cases in which a simple remedy may be 
used with good results, as well as the outward application of hot 
water. In my own practice, if conditions were always right, there 
would be no need of such aids. But where there is but little if any 
faith, and some antagonism; some external aid or harmless remedy, 
even if it be as simple as bread pills, facilitates the cure. The 



HEALTH MAXIMS, ETC. 95 

patient's mind cooperates with mine in doing as ± request ; faith 
is increased, and the patient becomes more negative and receptive 
to the healing influence of magnetism. 

The following health maxims and advice are worthy of atten- 
tion, and if followed will prevent many of the ills that flesh is 
heir to : — 

HEALTH MAXIMS. 

True knowledge of healing will do away with drugs altogether. 

Avoid all patent medicines : they answer the purpose only for which they are 
made, viz. :- to make money and deceive, but they never cure. 

Never put cold water on weak or diseased eyes. 

Cold water should never be used on the head; but hot water for all diseases 
of the head or brain. 

Wearing garters makes cold feet and crippled limbs. 

Never sleep or sit with the hands up to the head : it will cause heart disease, 
consumption, liver complaints, dyspepsia, etc. 

Spirit-magnetism — the life principle — may be imparted from one to another; 
and is the only power to heal the sick. 

Never tamper with your eyes or ears. 

Nitrate of silver, or any other drug, cannot be used on the eyes without 
injury. 

Never use or take opiates or other anodynes. 

Sorrow, grief, fear, or any extraordinary emotion, will cause disease : so, to 
be .well, be cheerful, and wear a pleasant countenance. 

Never suffer tortures from professed physicians' bleeding, cauterizing, cup- 
ping, plasters, or the use of liniments, calomel, nux vomica, arsenic or any other 
drugs or poisons that a welt person could not take without serious injury. All 
such practice and pretended science is empiricism, quackery and deception, and 
an insult to reason and common sense. 

The hair of dead or diseased persons, worn on the head, may be very injuri- 
ous and produce disease. 

VACCINATION. 

This is a practice that causes a vast amount of disease and suf- 
fering. Its effects are infinitely more terrible than the disease it 
is designed to prevent. No matter how pure the vaccine matter 
may appear to be, virus is left in the system, which will, sooner or 
later, be developed in scrofula or some other filthy disease. Were 
I to relate a few of the cases that have fallen under my observa- 
tion, of persons injured by this practice, it would fill the mind with 
horror. 



g6 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

GALL-STONES. 

This is a disease that is very prevalent, but in regard to which 
physicians and people in general are astonishingly ignorant. 
Thousands of persons are complaining of dyspepsia, liver difficulty 
and other diseases, when the real cause of their illness is gall- 
stones. The symptoms are general weakness and lassitude, de- 
pression of spirits and pain, particularly in the right side and back 
of the head, with general derangement of the system. The com- 
plexion is often sallow. 

The following remedy is always effectual in removing this dis- 
ease. Before retiring at night take two ounces of olive oil. The 
next morning at six o'clock, take a seidlitz powder, and repeat it 
once even- half hour until the bowels are moved. On commenc- 
ing to take the powders, place the right hand over the lowest right 
rib, beneath which lies the gall-bladder, and work the hand in such 
a way as to force the stones to the duodenum or lower stomach. 
The gall-stones will soon pass. The condition of the patient be- 
gins to improve at once, and gradually his system regains its 
healthy tone. In my practice in San Francisco, I cured more than 
three hundred persons of this disease, and in the State of California 
over four hundred. 

SLEEPING WITH THE HANDS TO THE HEAD. 

One of the most injurious and also one of the most common 
habits of men and women is sleeping with the arms extended on 
the pillow above the head. In this posture the arteries leading 
from the heart to the head are closed, producing temporary con- 
gestion, and forcing the blood back to the lungs and heart. This 
habit, if long continued, will produce heart disease and other phys- 
ical derangements, often ending in consumption. I believe three- 
fourths of these diseases to be caused by this practice, and thou- 
sands have been saved by my timely warning. 

BREATHING TUBE. 

In healing certain organic diseases, I make use of a silver tube 
through which the magnetism is conveyed by my breath directly to 



VALUABLE REMEDIES, ETC. 97 

the diseased parts. This tube is three inches in length and three 
quarters to seven-eighths of an inch in diameter. In treating dis- 
eases of the lungs, heart or liver, I place it over the parts affected, 
outside the clothing, and with powerful exhalations I send the mag- 
netism, which passes out with the breath, thereto, willing the dis- 
ease to depart. The healing influence permeates the organ and 
affects a cure. 

In prolapsus uteri the treatment is the same. The magnetic 
current contracts the muscles and heals the inflammation and ulcer- 
ation at once. A weak back is invariably relieved thus. 

As the magnetism is first communicated to the brain, to impart 
it by my will-power, or at most, to lay my hands upon the head, is, 
as a rule, all that is required to effect a cure ; but in severe organic 
diseases, partly to satisfy the patient and partly to facilitate the 
cure, I make use of the silver tube. 



98 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

IX ROCHESTER AND AUBURN, N. Y. HAVANA, CUBA. — NEW 

ORLEANS. — SAVANNAH. CHICAGO. 

Public Healing in Rochester. — Marvellous Results. — List of Cures. — Testimonies of the 
Press. — Extraordinary Power exhibited at Auburn. — Statements of the Press and of 
Individuals. — Visit to Havana. — Cure of a Catholic Priest — Great sensation in con- 
sequence. — Throngs of Patients. — Three to Five Hundred treated per day.— Cures at 
New Orleans. — At Savannah. — At Chicago. — Testimony of a Medical man. — u The 
Blind receive their Sight, and the Lame Walk." — " Days long to be remembered ! " 

Ix September, 1864, Dr. Newton went to Rochester, N. Y. 
Here he healed publicly, in Washington Hall, everyday, and visited 
patients at their homes in the evening. Both here and in Auburn 
he accomplished a vast amount of good, and effected marvellous 
results in the way of healing, as the ensuing accounts published at 
the time show : — 

Mr. Emmett B. Cook, 17 years old, 42 Hudson street, Rochester, spine dis- 
ease and inflammatory rheumatism ; legs drawn up and calloused. Spine and 
legs straightened and perfectly cured; walks as well as any one, to the wonder of 
all w 7 ho knew him. 

Palman Kentfield, 15 years old, Pearl street, Canandaigua, N. Y. — Blind 
since three and a half years old. Restored to perfect sight in ten minutes to see 
the finest print; he voluntarily observed a few hours after, " It is like living in a 
new world." 

Mrs. Elizabeth Morris, Warsaw, Wyoming county, X. Y. — Unable to 
speak even in a whisper for two years ; used a slate. Was cured in five minutes 
to speak as distinctly as anybody. 

Mrs. Emma E. Bailey', Lima, Livingston county, N. Y. — Lung disease and 
bad cough ; cured. 

Cornelia A. Groat, Rochester, X. Y. — Spine disease for four years; cured. 

R. G. Wells, Albion county, X. Y. — Lame twenty years; cured instantly to 
walk as well as any man living. 

Miss Martha Reynolds, 84 St. Paul street, Rochester. — Inflammatory 
rheumatism; unable to sit up; cured, rose from her bed, dressed herself, and 
was well from that hour. 



IN ROCHESTER, N. Y. 99 

Sanford P. Nellis, Clarkson, Monroe county, N. Y. — Epilepsy four or five 
years — fits daily; perfectly cured. 

Reuben T. Stiles, Monroe street, Rochester. — Bad sprain of knee; walked 
off and left two crutches. 

Mrs. Alexander Hess, Bath, N. Y. — Sprained knee — unable to walk; 
cured instantly. 

Harriet J. Peacock, 32 Stone street, Rochester. — Spinal curvature, chronic 
headache and neuralgia; perfectly cured. 

Mrs. M. J. Kidd's daughter, 14 Albert street, Rochester. — Cancerous scrof- 
ula in nose four years ; perfectly cured with five minutes' treatment. 

Robert Gordon, Adams street, near Prospect street, Rochester. — Bad 
lateral curvature of the spine — legs and knees drawn up ; brought in arms like 
an infant; spine and legs both straightened, and has since walked well. 

Miss Frances Cornelia Bascomb, Ludlowville, N. Y. — Defective sight — 
could not see a light most of the time for ten years; great nervous debility and 
vomiting; perfectly cured in ten minutes. 

Wm. H. Cheeney, No. 4 Livingston Place, Rochester — General debility, 
weak neck, so that he was unable to hold his head without an iron support for 
seven years ; cured in five minutes. 

Sarah Bodkin, No. 4 Lafayette street, Rochester. — Bad case of rheumatism; 
perfectly cured. 

Mrs. Laura Ann Price, 45 Stone street, Rochester. — Lame nine years — 
female weakness twenty years ; perfectly cured. 

Mrs. Wm. Flagler, Macedon Centre, N. Y. — Cured of consumption. 

Lucinda Fonda, Savannah street, Rochester. — Asthma; cured. 

Mrs. John R. Gansevoort, Bath, N. Y. — Dislocated shoulder; cured in- 
stantly. 

Almira Sears, East Bloomfield, N. Y. — Could not raise her eyelids for ten 
years without using her fingers to hold them up ; cured instantly. 

Mrs. Frederick Hubbell, East Mendon, Monroe county, N. Y. — Very 
sick and paralyzed fifteen years ; brought in a chair — unable to stand or move 
her feet, or raise her hands to her head; cured by touch instantly. 

Miss Nella Noaell, Auburn, N. Y. — Stiff knee for many years; cured 
instantly. 

John Woodworth, Auburn, N. Y. — Lame five years; cured instantly. 

Curtis C. Morgan, 4 Academy street, Auburn, N. Y. — Speechless eighteen 
months; perfectly cured, to the joy and wonder of many witnesses. 

Arthur Burtis, Detroit, Mich. — Cured of deafness. Child also cured of 
chronic dysentery and scrofula. 

Mrs. Hulda C. Satterlee, Horse Heads, Chemung county, N. Y. — Vari- 
cose veins cured. 

Susan Hughes, South street, Rochester. — Rheumatism cured with one 
treatment. 

Miss Ida Deane, 4 North Ford street, Rochester. — Jaundice — bad circula- 
tion; paralyzed for sixteen years with stiff knee; perfectly restored to health. 

Mrs. James May, Bath, Steuben county, N. Y. — Bad inflamed eyes; cured. 
Also her husband cured of deafness. 



100 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

Mrs. Ann Bishop, Elizabethtown, Essex county, N. Y. — Large tumor on 
wrist; cured instantly. 

Miss Clarissa Hackett, Dundee, Yates county, N. Y. — Lame seven years, 
scrofula and catarrh; cured with ten minutes' treatment. 

From the Rochester Evening Express ; Nov. 28 : — 

DR. NEWTON. 

Those who enumerate among their reasons for thanksgiving the blessings of 
good health, are perhaps not aware of the amount of good done by this public 
benefactor who has recently come among us. But hundreds daily of the maimed, 
the halt, the deaf and the blind, can testify to his wonderful power. Not con- 
tent with simply practicing the healing art, he remembers the pecuniary need of 
his patients, as in many cases we have heard those who have been relieved from 
suffering " without m^ney and without price," are surprised and gladdened by 
munificent donations from the hand of the healer. 

From the same paper : — 

ONE MORE UNION VOTE. 

We learn that Dr. J. R. Newton last week visited a gentleman in the town 
of Mendon, who had been confined to the house by sickness nearly seventeen 
years, and most of the time unable to leave his bed. Dr. Newton remained at 
the house all night, and the next day he was so far relieved that he could go out 
in the carriage. He goes to the poll to-day, and casts a straight Union vote — 
the first ticket he has voted in many years. 

From the Rochester Democrat : — 

EXTRAORDINARY CASE. 

Yesterday morning Mr. F. G. Lacy, of Scottsville, called at the Democrat 
office to give his personal testimony reg:r ling the benefits derived by him from 
the treatment of Dr. J. R. Newton. For ten years Mr. Lacy has been the vic- 
tim of spinal disease. During the past three years he has been confined, most 
of the time, to the house, and frequently compelled to keep his bed, unable to 
move without assistance. He became, of course, much emaciated and very 
weak. Last Saturday he was brought to the city in a carriage and conveyed to 
Dr. Newton's rooms in Washington Hall Block. Within ten minutes after he 
passed under the Doctor's hands he was practically cured. Delighted with the 
success of the experiment he started 071 foot to return home, and had actually 
-ualked four miles when he was overtaken by his friends with the carriage. We 
are certain that he could walk well enough yesterday, because we saw him do 
it, and he assured us that the only difficulty he experienced was a slight lame- 
ness of the muscles, caused by their being brought into active service after so 
long a period of disuse. As might be expected, Mr. Lacy is delighted with his 
disenthralment, and his gratitude to Dr. Newton knows no bounds. 



IN ROCHESTER, N. Y. IOI 

From the Tioga Democrat, Waverly, N. Y. : — 

DR. J. R. NEWTON AGAIN. 

This wonderful physician has attracted a large number of people from 
Waverly and its vicinity to his office in Rochester, for his special treatment in 
cases of lameness, deafness, spinal affection, disease of the heart, female weak- 
ness, etc., etc. These citizens and neighbors have returned benefited or com- 
pletely restored, and can now relate their own experience to the great joy of 
their friends, and in favor of the greatest medical man in the world. Most of 
these cases were considered incurable. * * * Many a one residing in Waverly 
will long remember this eminent Christian man in high admiration, and add their 
testimony to his unsurpassed skill and astonishing cures. Let the sick and 
afflicted continue to go and be healed. 

During the Doctor's sojourn in Rochester, he visited the 
neighboring city of Auburn, and healed the sick one day in Mark- 
ham Hall, free of charge. There was a dense crowd of people 
present. On this occasion, it is said, " the Doctor seemed to have 
more power than usual. Often at the merest touch or word the 
most virulent diseases would disappear. Only on two or three 
occasions did he ever have such wondrous power." Wm. White, 
Esq., of Boston, who was present, caused the following article to 
be published in the Banner of Light, of that city : — 

ASTONISHING CURES BY DR. J. R. NEWTON. 

We have repeatedly taken occasion to lay before the readers of the Banner of 
Light many remarkable cases of healing by the world-renowned benefactor, J. 
R. Newton, which are so nearly akin to what the Bible represents as miracles 
as to be almost incredible, were they not well indorsed by reliable human tes- 
timony. 

Wm. White, Esq., publisher of the Banner of Light, visited Rochester and 
Auburn, N. Y., several weeks ago, for the purpose of witnessing the effect on 
invalids of the healing power possessed by Dr. Newton, and was highly gratified 
and astonished at what he saw. Persons afflicted with almost every grade of 
suffering were restored to active life and usefulness. We believe we cannot fill 
a column with matter which would be of more interest to our readers, than an 
account of some of the most recent cases where the suffering have found speedy 
relief from the hands of this apostle of Spiritualism. These facts should be 
sufficient for at least one satisfactory answer to the skeptic's daily repeated ques- 
tion, " Of what use is Spiritualism ? " If they cannot yet see any good in our 
beautiful and divine philosophy, let them ponder on this one fact until their 
hearts and eyes are opened sufficiently to let into their souls the light and truth. 

Were these things done within the pale of the theologic-scientific world, the 



102 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

religious and secular press would hardly find words sufficiently expressive of 
their astonishment and admiration, and would eagerly place the facts before 
their readers, thousands of whom would unquestioningly accept their statements 
as truth. But now those presses, except in rare instances, refuse e\ e 1 to pub- 
lish well authenticated facts which occur in the spiritual ranks, preferring to 
denounce them all as " humbug " rather than let their readers see and jud"-e for 
themselves. Well, we can abide our time : " truth is mighty and will prevail," 
so we have no apprehensions for the future on that score. * * * We will 
give a paragraph from the Auburn, N. Y., Advertiser, of Dec. 3d, 1864 : 

" Miracles. — The age of miracles would seem to have been reinstated, in 
the wonderful doings of Dr. J. R. Newton, whose recent visit to this city was 
attended by so many and such almost incredible cures of bed-ridden and crip- 
pled patients. It is well known to hundreds in this community, that in less than 
a minute he has totally removed the infirmities of months and years. How it is 
accomplished — whether by psychology or other means is yet undetermined — 
certain it is, however, we have known of his causing the limping cripple to lay 
down his crutches, without which locomotion was impossible, and giving him 
full powers of easy movement : the dumb have been enabled to talk, and the 
helpless invalid restored at once to health and happiness. 

"Dr. Newton will be at Markham Hall to-morrow (Sunday) morning, from ten 
o'clock in the morning until one o'clock in the afternoon, where the afflicted are 
invited to come and be cured without money and without price. We understand 
this is his last visit here. All who wish relief should see him. Read his an- 
nouncement in another column." 

In accordance with the above announcement Dr. Newton visited Auburn. 
Before the hour arrived for the meeting the hall was crowded with the ailing 
and the curious. Shortly after the Doctor entered the hall, he commanded 
" Silence " in a clear and distinct voice, and in a moment all were quiet, listen- 
ing eagerly to catch every word which might fall from the great healer's lips. 

The Doctor then began a short address. He told the multitude that the 
healing power manifest through him was the same as that possessed by Jesus 
and his apostles, who said that " these signs shall follow them that believe." 
He had discovered this healing principle in the law of love as taught by Jesus. 
That we are all brothers and sisters of one common Father; that the spirit of 
God dwells in each one, as it did in him — but not so fully developed — whereby 
we could heal the sick, raise the fallen, restore the outcast, and bid them come 
up higher, as the angels are ever beckoning to us. These angels are the spirits 
of our departed friends, many of them our nearest and dearest loved ones who 
once mingled with us in earth-life. He assured the audience that these spirit- 
friends were with them at that time to witness the opening of the great Seal, and 
aid in curing suffering mortals by the touch of the hand ; they proclaim " peace 
on earth and good will to man." 

At the close of this brief address the Healer proceeded to cure the ailing 
ones present by the "laying on of hands" (except cases of epilepsy, which the 
ancient apostles could not cure ; these he took into a room by themselves). 

The Doctor had invited those who had sick friends that could not be 



IN AUBURN, N. Y. 103 

brought to the hall, to bring any portion of wearing apparel, handkerchiefs, 
shoes, caps, etc., worn by them, and he would cure them by touching those 
articles, and many availed themselves of the opportunity by doing so. As he 
handled the various articles, he pronounced his healing blessing upon the sev- 
eral cases with, so far as known, great success. We will cite a few : — 

One lady brought a stocking worn by a very sick child who was not ex- 
pected to recover. The Doctor took the stocking in his hand, and kindly said 
to the lady, " Go home and you will find the child well and sitting up ! " She 
went away with a heart full of hope and faith, and returned again in the even- 
ing, happy, saying that when she arrived home she found the child well, and 
sitting up in a chair as the Doctor told her she would. 

A little girl named Emma, eight years old, daughter of Mr. Clark, of 
Auburn, who had never walked, was made to rise, walk, jump and run with ease. 

Dr. Newton informed Mr. White that he thought the cures were quite, if not 
more, certain by the mere touch of his hand than by manipulation, as has here- 
tofore been his practice. If this is so, it is truly an astonishing increase to his 
healing powers, and readily accounts for his being able to treat over two thou- 
sand persons in the course of nine hours, while the excitement amid the throng 
was growing more intense every moment. Truly the spiritual world must throw 
an immense power upon him in order to sustain him and bring him through the 
ordeal so triumphantly, for, at the close of this great day's labor, the Doctor 
stated that he did not feel any more tired than when he commenced in the morn- 
ing, which astonished his friends very much, and no doubt would himself, did 
he not know that he was but the humble instrument in the hands of the highest 
powers to relieve the infirmities of humanity. 

We will give another instance of healing by the Doctor's touching an article 
worn by the invalid :— 

The brother of Miss Georgia Curtis, who resides in Auburn, N. Y., took a 
ring from off his sister's finger — she being very deaf — and carried it to Roches- 
ter, N. Y., where Dr. Newton was then practicing. The Doctor touched the 
ring, saying to the brother, " Go home to your sister ; she is cured, and will at 
this instant hear an explosion like a pop-gun in her ear." The brother started 
for home, and on his arrival he found his sister perfectly cured of her deafness, 
and that at the very time the Doctor named, she heard a report in her ear like 
an explosion. The facts in this case are certified by J. L. Hewson and E. C. 
Burtis. While in Auburn, Mr. White took especial pains to see and converse 
with Miss Curtis. He also learned that she had been deaf for many years, and 
that the facts stated above are true. 

Mr. White, while in the hall at Auburn, Dec. 18th, saw a man who had been 
sick twenty years, and unable to walk for the last six, according to his own 
statement. He was brought into the hall by four men. In five minutes after 
Dr. Newton laid his hand on him he was able to raise himself up and walk out 
of the hall without assistance, the men who brought him in taking up the chair 
and following him. 

Another man, who had used crutches for four years, on account of lameness, 
caused by the kick of a horse on his knee, was cured by Dr. Newton in three 



104 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

minutes, and walked away from the hall without the aid of any one. His phy- 
sicians had previously said that he could never be helped — one of whom shoul- 
dered his crutch and followed him from the hall. 

A srill more remarkable case, where the patient was virtually " raised from 
the dead," is related by Mr. White. A lady, the wife of Henry Forncrock, 
residing in Clyde, X. Y., some thirty miles distant, who had been very sick for 
six years, was brought to the Exchange Hotel in Auburn, where Dr. Xewton 
was stopping. When she left home her friends bid her farewell, never expe;: g 
to see her return again alive. On arriving at the hotel she was brought in on a 
bed, and placed in a room adjoining the Doctor's operating room — he being 
temporarily absent, dining with friends — in such a low condition that she was 
thought to be dying. Presently the Doctor came in, and went into the room 
where she lay, apparently, as the Doctor afterwards said to Mr. White, breath- 
ing her last, and placing his hand upon her forehead, in a firm and kind tone 
said, " Disease, depart. Arise and stand upon your feet" And she at once 
obeyed the command. The Doctor then directed her to go into the dining-room 
and eat a good beefsteak. She complied with this request also, and relished 
her dinner exceedingly well. After returning to the Doctor's room, he took 
hold of her hands, and they danced around the room quite lively, she stepping 
off as briskly as a girl of seventeen, notwithstanding she had become, from her 
long confinement, very thin and emaciated. When ready to start for home, she 
walked out of the hotel and got into the sleigh unaided by anv one. For three 
years she had not been able to take any nourishment except liquids, gruels and 
the like. Mr. White says if he had not been an eye-witness to this case he 
could hardly have credited the story of so wonderful a cure. 

We will cite another case which Dr. Xewton cured in presence of Mr. 
White while he was in Rochester. Miss Sarah Hart, of Dundee, Yates county, 
X. Y., who had been speechless for twenty -seven years, was cured in ten minutes, 
and freely conversed with Mr. W. in a strong voice. She could hardly find 
words to express her thanks to God for the restoration of so great a blessing 
through the instrumentality of Dr. X. 

Quite a number of other cases were cured, and others greatly relieved, whose 
diseases were not made public. 

We will relate an incident to show how intuitive Dr. Xewton is. While 
healing the multitude in Auburn, the hall being so crowded as to greatly impede 
the progress of any one through it, and for twenty feet around the Doctor was 
densely packed, he looked down the hall and saw a man with anxiety depicted in 
his face, and immediately coming in rapport with him, and not knowing his 
name, cried out, " TTiomas, come here." The crowd opened a passage for him, 
and as he approached the Doctor questioned him thus : " Thomas, what ? " The 
young man replied, " Yes, Thomas Watt," thus showing that the Doctor had 
intuitively pronounced his name. He then bid the young man go his way healed 
of his infirmities. And it was even so. 

We might enumerate many more cases which have come under Dr. Xewton's 
successful treatment, but we think enough at this time have been mentioned to 
awaken an interest in the wonderful healing power which is being unfolded. 



IN HAVANA, CUBA. IC5 

The Auburn Advertiser and Union of Dec. 5, 1864, thus speaks 
of this remarkable day : — 

Much excitement was caused in this city yesterday by the visit of Dr. J. R. 
Newton, whose peculiar system of healing has created a general stir throughout 
the country wherever he exercises his wonderful powers. From the hour of ten 
in the morning until one o'clock, p. m., Markham Hall was densely packed by 
the "lame, halt and blind," "the wounded, sick and sore," beside hundreds of 
others whose curiosity led them there to witness the cures performed. The lame 
and rheumatic were made to discard their crutches and walk off, the deaf were 
made to hear, the blind to see, and the dumb to speak. In this matter-of-fact 
age it is hard to convince the public that such things can be true; but hundreds 
have witnessed the effects produced by the gentleman, and have had conviction 
forced upon their minds. More than 2,500 persons, variously afflicted, visited 
him yesterday at the hall and at his rooms in the Exchange Hotel. We were 
present during the evening, and witnessed several remarkable cures. One of 
the most striking of these was a case of lameness in a little girl named Emma 
Clark, the daughter of a widow residing on Owasco street. The child had been 
unable to do more than hobble about the house, until a charitable neighbor 
applied to the Doctor, who, by means of an article of the girl's clothing brought 
to him at the Hall, passed his influence to the sufferer and enabled her to walk 
to the hotel in the evening, when he caused her to run about the room freely 
without help. His services to the poor are gratis, and none but the wealthy are 
required to pay a fee. 

His power is claimed to be derived from heaven, and his ideas are at vari- 
ance with the established forms of the Church. These we do not propose to 
discuss ; but certain it is, that those who have seen his cures are filled with con- 
flicting impressions regarding the origin of his mysterious powers, a majority 
being convinced of their reality. 

One unmistakable case came under our immediate attention — that of a dis- 
tressing inflammatory rheumatism. The sufferer had been unable to walk or 
bear the slightest touch. Dr. Newton visited the patient, exercised his power, 
and enabled her to walk through the house at once. The first full night's rest 
in eight weeks was the immediate consequence, and the invalid is still able to 
walk and use her limbs freely, with the prospect of speedy restoration to former 
good health. Such things are indeed wonderful, and furnish a theme for study 
and reflection. Dr. Newton has certainly proved himself a benefactor, and his 
private charities are not alone confined to healing. The poor share his purse, 
and his benevolence is widespread. 

From the Banner of Light : — 

A CURE BY DR. J. R. NEWTON. 

Publishers of Banner :— * * * * Dr. J. R. Newton has cured my 
wife of paralysis, from which she has been suffering for fifteen years the 3d of 



106 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

June last. We carried her to Dr. Newton in a chair ; she was unable to move 
her feet, or lift a book with her hands. Dr. Newton placed his hand upon her 
head, and said, " The Lord bless you; arise and walk; " and she arose instantly 
and walked off, well. Now this was all done without any manifestations of any 
kind. 

I was induced to try Dr. Newton, owing to the cure of Mr. Joseph Town- 
send, of our town, equally miraculous, causing the greatest excitement in the 

neighborhood. 

Respectfully yours, 

FREDERICK HUBBELL. 
EastMendon, Munroe Co., N. Y., Nov. Sth, 1864. 

From E. R. Gridley, of Auburn : — 

A CARD. 

I wish to make it known to the world, that from being a helpless and most 
hopeless cripple I was restored to perfect health. I had heard much of Dr. 
J. R. Newton, but my case was so bad that I hardly dared to hope ; still I went 
to the Doctor two years ago. He cured me of my paralysis perfectly, and I have 
been well ever since. I publish this card as some other doctors say that the 
cures do not last. I will be pleased to be referred to. 

[1S66.] E. R. GRIDLEY, Auburn, N. Y. 

In December, 1864, Dr. Newton visited Havana, Cuba, for the 
purpose of enjoying a respite from his arduous labors in the genial 
climate of that tropical island. He was not, however, destined to 
rest even there, for his fame had preceded him, and he was urgently 
pressed to exercise his healing powers. Dr. Wilson, an American 
physician, offered his large mansion for the purpose, which he 
accepted. The first patient was a Catholic priest, who had a can- 
cer on the foot, and had not walked, even with the aid of crutches, 
for six years, but had kept his bed. Dr. Newton visited him, and 
after a few minutes' treatment he arose and walked, and accom- 
panied the Doctor to his carriage, saying through an interpreter 
as he cordially pressed his hand in parting, " When I say Mass, it 
shall be for your soul. Jesus has found one good enough to endow 
with the power of healing." The priest was entirely cured, and it 
produced so great a sensation among the Cubans, that the house 
that would hold two hundred persons was daily filled, while outside 
the throng was so great that a strong police force was constantly 
on guard to preserve order. From three to five hundred persons 
were daily treated during the Doctor's stay of six weeks. The 



IN NEW ORLEANS. I0y 

same success attended him there as elsewhere, and a large propor- 
tion treated were cured. He also received marked kindness and 
attention from the citizens of Havana during his entire stay. After 
paying a short visit to Matanzas he started for the North, stop- 
ping by invitation a few days at New Orleans, La., and Savannah, 
Ga., as the following brief notices inform us. The first is from 
a New Orleans correspondent of a northern paper (name not 
preserved) : — 

DR. J. R. NEWTON. 

Dr. Newton has left us for Savannah, Ga., where the same success which at- 
tended him in New Orleans will undoubtedly follow, for he has found the true 
secret of healing, which is benevolence and charity. Long shall we remember 
his parting words, so full of import to all mediums who would devote themselves 
to healing the human body. 

" Tell all your friends," said he, " and impress it upon their minds, that any 
person who will try to heal the sick by laying on of hands, will never succeed if 
he lays his hands on the pockets of the poor." 

Acting on this principle, he always refused to take any thing from those who 
he thought were not well able to pay him. He did not reap a golden harvest 
while here, but, like the healer of Nazareth, he leaves us and goes forth accom- 
panied by the blessings of many a poor invalid whom he has made whole. 

It was the first time that we had the happiness and good luck to see him, but 
long, long, shall that bright face, on which benevolence beams, be present to our 
mind's eyes. And when he took us by the hand we felt lighter, more at ease, a 
weight was taken from the heart, humanity appeared under a new light ; we left 
him stronger for good, and resolved to struggle on and march onwartl in the path 
of duty, though the thorns might tear our hands or the rocks blister our feet. 

For the gratification of the Doctor's many friends we will here give a few, 
among the many, of the cures that would informer times have been called mirac- 
ulous, effected by him in New Orleans. * * * 

As we were in the Doctor's office the two following persons called nearly to- 
gether to express their thanks for the good they received : 

John Knight, 94 Notre Dame street. — Nearly total blindness and general health 
much impaired. He could not read the largest size letters of a poster. He read a 
small card that happened to be on the table. John has an arm amputated. He 
said that, since the Doctor operated on him, not only his health was much im- 
proved but hefett as if the lost arm was restored and he could move his fingers. 

Mrs. Rebecca Helfrich, 220 Derbigny street. — Great inflammation of the 
eyes, extending all around on the face. Total blindness. She could not walk alone, 
and was brought to the Doctor's office. The next day she was enabled to go 
home alone, and when we saw her no trace of inflammation appeared, and she 
was going, basket in hand, to buy her marketings, unassisted by anybody. 

Mrs. Mary H. Barnes, Jefferson City, had a very bad rheumatism. She had 



108 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

been a sufferer and invalid for many years. She was brought and carried into 
the Doctor's office, and after his treatment she went back to her carriage and 
stepped into it without assistance. She is now cured. 

We witnessed the two following cases : 

Miss Margaret Truckwell, of Algiers, La., was brought to the office by a 
lady friend. Her attendant had to speak very loud to make her hear. After three 
minutes' treatment she could hear the smallest whisper, and she went forth re- 
joicing. 

Mrs. Burke, corner St. Thomas and Edwards street, had a sore foot that she 
had not put on the ground for three years ; she walked with a crutch. The 
Doctor made her quit her crutch and walk around the office. In ten minutes 
she went off, and is now cured. 

From a letter in the Banner oj Light, from New Oneans :— 

The recent flying visit of Dr. J. R. Newton to this city reminds me of a duty 
I owe him and the world : to make a statement of the benefits conferred by him 
upon myself and others within my observation. 

My sight began to fail in 1859. In October, 1865, it was so far gone that 
I was unable to see any person at ten feet distance, except as a shapeless 
shadow. Cataract on both eyes. I was recommended by Madam Pickenfaus, of 
Indiana, to apply to Dr. Newton for relief. I started for Columbus, Ohio On 
the way I found Mr. William Gaines, of Arkansas, totally blind, on his way to 
Philadelphia, to have surgical operations performed on his eyes. I persuaded him 
to go with me. We both called at Dr. Newton's rooms at Columbus, Ohio, on 
the 22d of October, 1865, where Dr. Newton operated on us. I was benefited 
immediately, and in the course of ten days so far relieved that I was able to at- 
tend to my usual business, and am now able to read small print with facility. 
Mr. Gaines was enabled to see the railroad depot, two hundred yards distant, 
and to walk to it without assistance. 

While we were at Dr. Newton's rooms a crippled colonel of the United States 

Army came, with the arm and leg of one side distorted and useless. He was an 

unbeliever in the power of Dr. Newton, or any human means of relief. He said 

that he came there only to gratify his wife Dr. Newton operated on his arm, 

then on his leg, with perfect success. The colonel put on his coat with ease, 

which he said he had not been able to do during the two previous years, and 

walked away as well as any other person. 

ISAAC WRIGHT, 

Of Troy, Indiana, and of New Orleans, Louisiana, during the winter seasons. 

From the Savannah News and Herald :— 

Editors " News and Herald " : 

Dear Sirs : — In justice to Dr. J. R. Newton, and for the benefit of suffering 
humanity, please allow me a few lines space in your valuable columns. My wife 
(Mrs. Laura M. Gould) has been afflicted five years, and for the past two years 



IN NEW ORLEANS. IO9 

has been actually confined to her bed. On hearing of Dr. Newton's wonderful 
success in curing the sick and afflicted, I hauled her from my residence, eleven 
miles from Savannah, on her bed, called Dr. Newton to see her, and in ten 
minutes she was enabled through his treatment to get up and walk across the 
room. This was Monday afternoon ; and she has been constantly improving, 
has walked out on the streets and has called to see Dr. Newton at his rooms in the 
Pulaski House. Let all sufferers call and see this great and good man, in faith, 
and God will bless them with a cure through him. 

WM. H. GOULD. 

From the same : — 

DR. NEWTON'S WONDERFUL CURES. 

Inasmuch as several rumors calculated to convey erroneous impressions 
have been circulated in relation to the wonderful cure of Mrs. F. Grosclaude, 
performed by Dr. Newton, I deem it my duty, and but an act of simple justice 
to this distinguished physician whose curative powers have been tested upon 
thousands of persons, invalids of long standing, whose diseases have baffled 
the skill of the most scientific physicians and been pronounced incurable by 
many of the highest members of the medical profession, to refute these false 
reports by giving this unsolicited testimony. Mrs. Grosclaude has been afflict- 
ed, for upwards of seven years, with spinal disease and other difficulties of 
the nervous system, during which period she has been for many months con- 
fined to her room, compelled to keep her couch, and has never during that time 
been able to walk out of doors. Both the allopathic and homoeopathic course 
of treatment had been tried, but little or no relief could be obtained, until the 
services of Dr. Newton were called into requisition. After half an hour's ex- 
periment in his simple method, my wife was able to travel up and down stairs, 
and to walk with me a distance of half a mile, without any noticeable effort or 
the least fatigue. From that time up to the present period Mrs. Grosclaude has 
continued to improve and now enjoys excellent health. 

I have reluctantly consented to make this public declaration and brief state- 
ment, but ascertaining that the most ridiculous falsehoods were being freely circu- 
lated in regard to the permanency and truth of Dr. Newton's miraculous cure, 
in justice to him and the public, together with a deep sense of gratitude, seemed 
to require this much of an explanation at my hands, which I cheerfully give with- 
out the knowledge or intimation to Dr. Newton of its appearance in print. If 
the statement I have made shall prove to be the means of inducing others who 
may be similarly afflicted to test the powers of Dr. Newton, my object will have 
been attained. 

F. GROSCLAUDE. 

Dr. Newton made a visit to Chicago about this time, which was 
productive of great results. An eye-witness to the remarkable 
scenes enacted there, in speaking of the event says : — 



110 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

" I am a graduate of three medical schools, and of course was, by education, 
prejudiced against every mode of treatment of disease differing from my own. 
Being an invalid, and having abandoned all hope of help from every other source, 
I went to Doctor Newton, feeling a kind of desperation. I coughed and expec- 
torated blood, almost incessantly. In a few moments he entirely cured me. 

" I also watched his operation upon other patients — saw him remove a cancer- 
ous swelling from a woman's hand in three minutes, by my watch ; saw him 
cause a boy seven years old to walk, who had never taken a step in his life. 

" Three blind men were led upon the platform at one time. Doctor Newton 
passed his hands over their eyes a few minutes and their sight was restored. 
He then introduced them to each other, amid the cries and shouts of the au- 
dience." 

Another — Joseph Richardson, of St. Louis, Missouri — says : — 

" I went in on crutches which I had used seven years. The good man met 
me saying : ' God bless you, my brother. I am glad to see you, for I can cure 
you ! ' and in a few minutes I was walking unaided to the astonishment of myself 
and every one present. The same day I walked over seven miles. 

" I remained in the city nearly a week, for the purpose of beholding the won- 
ders daily being wrought at Metropolitan Hall, which surpassed even* thing of 
which I had ever heard or dreamed. The amount of work performed by Doctor 
Newton, as well as the cures, was simply wonderful. On several occasions he 
treated a thousand patients a day. The streets swarmed with invalids eager for 
admittance to the great healer. Often a thousand persons waited without, and 
finding it impossible to gain an entrance turned away disappointed, to await a 
better opportunity. 

" Newspaper offices were besieged by multitudes of the cured, in answer to 
requests from editors and proprietors, to furnish them cases of cures for publica- 
tion. They were days long to be remembered." 



IN NEW YORK CITY AGAIN. Ill 



CHAPTER IX. 

IN NEW YORK CITY AGAIN. 

A Public Address, accompanied by Healing. — The Healer's own Account of the Nature 
and Source of his Power. — Illustrative Cases. — Numbers Healed on the Spot. — Ex- 
citing Scenes. — Corroboration of the Tribune. — The Dispatch Testifies to " Modern 
Miracles." — Other Testimonies of the Press and Individuals. — " Forty Thousand 
Cases " treated. 

In May, 1866, Dr. Newton revisited New York City, opening 
an office at No. 6 St. Mark's Place. On Sunday, May 13th, he, by 
invitation, gave a public address in Dodworth's Hall, in elucidation 
of his mode of healing, accompanying this address by illustrations 
of the healing power exerted on invalids in the audience. From a 
full report of the occasion, published in the Banner of Light ', the 
following account is condensed. It sets forth very clearly the 
Doctor's own views of the nature and source of the wonderful 
power exhibited through him : — 

THEORY AND PRACTICE. 

A Lecture delivered in Dodwortlis Hall, New York, by Dr. J. R. Nexvton, Sunday, 

May 13//&, 1866. 

Mr. Partridge introduced Dr. J. R Newton in the following words : — 

Ladies and Gentlemen, — I observe that there are a number of faces pres- 
ent this morning not usually with us, and it gives me great pleasure to welcome 
you to this hall. Let me say that this Society seeks to carry out practical relig- 
ion ; usefulness ; good in every direction ; and we consider that the healing of 
persons diseased is a great deal better than many sermons. We have invited a 
gentleman this morning to elucidate healing by touch and will-power. We have 
invited him to practically illustrate the mode on invalids who may be present. I 
have the pleasure of introducing Dr. J R. Newton, residence No. 6 St. Mark's 
Place. 

Dr. Newton then came forward and said :- 

My Friends, — I am happy to address you this morning on a subject which 
is important not only to each and every one of us, but to all mankind. It is in 
regard to healing the sick by touch, will-power, or the laying on of hands, as it was 



112 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

called by the ancients. There is a latent power of magnetic life in all. Some 
have it to greater and some to a less extent. The imparting of it depends some- 
what on the individual organization. I will endeavor to elucidate this so clearly 
as to be perceptible, and, I think, practical to those that wish. * * * 

In the first place, the fundamental principles are the same that Christ taught 
— " Love your neighbor. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." 
And, as he says, if you believe on me, the works I do shall ye do also. Preach- 
ers that teach and practice what they teach are few, or else they would heal the 
sick, as did Jesus and the Apostles. It seems to me to be the highest calling 
and duty of the clergy to lay hands on the sick and heal them, and their want 
of practical faith is the reason they do not do it. 

It was not alone in Christ's time, but for three or four hundred years after, 
the same mode of cure was generally practised. What was good, and a law, 
eighteen hundred years ago, is good, and a law, to-day ; Jesus came not to de- 
stroy the law, but to fulfill. Xow if persons desire me to heal them, and come 
freely, of their own will, I am certain to heal them, if they have a curable dis- 
ease ; but if they are brought, or do not desire to come, I might not perhaps 
succeed, though I have sometimes done so. A person should come voluntarily. 
" Ask and ye shall receive ; seek and ye shall find." Having a strong will- 
power, I feel that the power of God is with me. Each one is an emanation from 
the Divine Father ; and knowing this, and that the spirit of God abideth within 
us, I endeavor to live such a life as to have confidence in myself, and I have the 
evidence that when I speak to an assembly I carry that magnetic force and prin- 
ciple with the words I speak, so that each one shall feel in the recesses of his 
individual soul that I practice what I teach. 

I would be ashamed, if I were a speaker or preacher, to address an audience 
and have some of them go to sleep because of the want of magnetic force. What 
and whence is the power of the orator and statesman in all ages ? * It is magnetic 
force that influences. The man must have faith in himself and his powers to 
have this controlling influence ; and whoever has this faith, real and true faith, 
can control a nation with their individual forces. This is the power by which 
Napoleon and other heroes have controlled nations. With this faith in perfec- 
tion one may say to the mountain, " Be thou removed into the sea ! " and it 
shall obey. Not that it may, but it shall. This magnetic power— if any one has 
it to a great extent — all present shall feel its influence and effect ; not only those 
present, but the city in which he is, and not the country only, but the universe 
itself feels the influence and power of one good man or magnetizer. Know ye 
not that God is within you, and that the internal or soul of man is God manifest 
in the flesh ? 

You may have all the religion in the world, and without good works it is 
nothing; and vou will never be developed in wisdom without a practical 
religion of good will to all and good works. Feed the hungry and clothe the 
naked. It will be of greater benefit to either of us to feed one hungry mortal 
than to spend a lifetime in prayer and fasting, and more acceptable to God; lift 
up those who are fallen. We who have the position and advantages of intelli- 
gence and education, who have enough to eat and drink, and luxuries as com- 



IN NEW YORK CITY AGAIN 113 

forts, should go among the fallen, unfortunate and debased, and urge them to 
morality and virtue, and to come up to higher life. * * * 

I heal a great deal by the garments of the sick which are brought to me, by 
the magnetic influence that attaches to them, and also by the influence of per- 
sons coming from their sick friends at a distance. I say I heal, but it is not me ; 
it is the Father that dwelleth in me ; and he dwelleth in you just the same as in 
me. We are one common brotherhood, children of one common Father, and 
how we ought to love one another ! Would we could realize how we are spirit- 
ually connected. This magnetism of love passing from one to another is an in- 
fluence that is felt by susceptible persons. There is not one here present but 
feels that I have love toward him; there is not one but feels there is in my ex- 
pression sincerity. And I know that we are ever moulding our faces in expres- 
sion by our thoughts, deeds and motives. These principles cannot be doubted 
by either sage or philosopher. 

The process of healing by touch of garment I will try to explain. I will say 
in the outset that I never receive pay for healing in this way, as it might be a 
check on the faith ; for the person, and his or her faith in coming, constitutes the 
medium through which I cure. I sometimes take a garment and say, "There 
is nothing the matter with this person ; that is sent to me for a test ; " or " That 
person is cured from this hour;" "This one was born lame ; I can do nothing." 
And then I take another garment in my hands and say, " Do you know this 
person ? " " Yes." " He will be instantly healed." I must feel that the power 
of God is with me. Where there is good hope and great faith I say, " Your 
daughter is healed from this time." 

I feel and eliminate a shock, just as real and as powerful as that produced by 
a galvanic battery. * * * Any person that is sitting here may be a medium 
through which the higher power operates. I hold that the purer the life the 
better the healer will be. For instance, I believe I am controlled by guardian 
and controlling spirits, and that they possess the power to heal through me. 
And just as I live, in principle and truth, by just such powers shall I be con- 
trolled ; the better life I live, day after day, the better the angels from the celes- 
tial spheres can come and operate to heal the sick. And if we live a debased or 
low life, low or unprogressed spirits only can control us. You cannot get pure 
water from a dirty fountain ; to get clear water the fountain must first be pure. 
By throwing the will-force determinedly on the individual through the third per- 
son or garment, as a medium, the influence is thus imparted to the patient, 
though distant, and the sick one is healed. 

I will mention an instance. A child of Mrs. Samuel Hopper, of Columbus, 
Ohio, said to have water on the brain, apparently unconscious and paralyzed ; 
had lain in this state three months ; had to be fed with a tea-spoon ; had no 
power or motion with its limbs. The mother brought a garment of the child ; 
I took the garment and said, " Go home, woman, your child is well." She went 
home and found the child healed. She afterward brought this child to my 
rooms, well. 

There are persons present who have been as remarkably cured, whose cases 
I will presently make known to you. In healing there must be faith' on one side 

8 



114 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

or the other. A healer should be a person of great faith, great energy ; sympa- 
thetic and kind ; a man who is true to himself; a muscular man, with a fixed, 
positive and determined will. A healer possessing a good share of these quali- 
fications will be successful. * * * 

Is Mr. Daniel G. Taylor here ? I will state his case. About the same time, 
Dr. Wilson, an eminent physician of this city, was called to his house, and he 
told Mrs. Tavlor that there was no chance for her husband to live (he had had a 
bad cough for fifteen years), that he had better make his will. I went to see 
Mr. Taylor, and told his wife there was but little chance for him. I worked on 
him for ten minutes, told him to get up and dress, and go out, " Your disease has 
left you." He rose to his feet, dressed himself, and walked a mile ; the next 
day he walked two miles; he has never had a cough since. He is here 
present. * * * 

A lady was brought fifty miles on a litter, and few of her neighbors or friends 
thought she would live to get to my rooms ; but the patient, full of faith, was 
determined to see Dr. Newton. Now, as I have before said, faith must be on 
one side or the other. I gave her treatment, and in five minutes she was per- 
fectly cured and on her feet. This lady was Mary A. Rumor, Unionville, Pa. ; 
she had been bedridden eleven years. 

These are not isolated cases ; their name is legion. I have been instrumental 
in curing more than one hundred and fifty thousand people. I say this not in 
egotism, but to prove that the power of God is still with us to heal the sick and 
suffering, the same as it was eighteen hundred years ago. Healing power is 
inherent in every one ; and if you feel that you have that power, and that the 
Spirit of God is in you, you can go to work and heal the sick as I do. Should I 
go on to tell you all the power manifested through me, you would call me a 
fanatic. Now, my friends, it is the condition that is required to heal — not that 
the power has been lost. I am frequently asked if I do not feel a loss of power 
or magnetism, or become weakened by healing so many; on the contrary, I be- 
come strengthened ; it is like the magnet, from which may be imparted the same 
properties to an indefinite number of pieces of iron, and yet without loss to the 
magnet; its power is increased thereby. The more we give the more we receive. 

Now I will speak of the power one individual has over another. Each one 
of you can sit down and think of a friend or foe, with kind thoughts and good 
will, and desire to do them good, and you will do them good and make them 
happv, or by thinking ill of them, make them unhappy. Each one of you has the 
power to throw off a bad magnetism of anger, hatred or revenge. Do not do 
this, for whatever you sow that shall you also reap ; for these influences will all 
come back to you again with twofold bitterness. You may make persons almost 
frantic with grief; but let me warn you not to do it. If you sow to the flesh you 
shall reap corruption ; but sow kindness, love, good will to all the human race ; 
it shall be health and happiness to those that give, as well as those that receive. 
I would not dare to have a bad thought or feel evil-disposed toward any one. 
We should believe that all persons do about the best they know how : it is only 
their spiritual darkness that make men think and do evil. 

If there is anv one here that wishes to be a healing medium, let him or her go 



IN NEW YORK CITY AGAIN. 115 

to the sick and feel a good faith, with a strong, positive will-force , feel that all 
are your brothers, sisters and children, and they will be healed by the touch ; 
when conditions are right they will be cured. This is the power that Jesus 
taught ; all is' subject to your will, all is yours. I can heal any one in this room 
just as well without touching as with (if it is not an organic disease). Sometimes 
I must come in contact with the patient, and at others it can be done by will 
alone. 

If a person comes and says it will take nine operations for you to cure me, it 
will take nine ; but if they say, " I will be cured by the touch of the hem of your 
garment," it will be so. I have felt the influence pass from me by a simple 
touch, while the person was cured. * * * 

If, after working on a sick person, I should say, " Don't you feel a little bet- 
ter ? " in a mild and negative way, why, I should never cure any one ; for asking 
such a question would imply a negative condition. I produce this shock, and 
say, " Get up ; arise on your feet," in a loud determined manner, which is some- 
times startling. 

I cured Mrs. Campbell, in New Haven, Ct. She had not been able to walk 
for thirty-two years. After working for a few minutes, I told her to arise and 
stand upon her feet. She said, " I cannot." I said, " How dare you say that ? 
Get up ; " and in a few minutes she walked freely, alone — a well woman. She 
said she thought me the ugliest man she ever saw ; but she afterward apologized 
for it with grateful thanks. It was my positive force that controlled her and her 
disease. 

I will mention one other case, and it is that of a lady in Rochester, who had 
not spoken, even in a whisper, for twenty-seven years. She could hear as well 
as any one. I said, "I can cure you; but you must not expect to be cured 
instantly, but in a few minutes ; speak first in a whisper." Her name was Park- 
hurst. Said I, "Whisper 'Mary Parkhurst.'" She did so. I said, " That is 
right. Now speak it louder." She said, «■ Mary Parkhurst," in a full, loud tone 
of voice. She afterward (the same day) talked as loud and freely as any one. 
She said, " Thank God, I can now talk with my children, who have never heard' 
my voice." 

Now I ask any in the room that are in pain to rise — only those who are in 
acute pain. 

[About twenty rose, and the Doctor threw his arms forcibly forward, and 
said, " Now your pain is gone." He then requested those whose pains were 
cured to sit down, and they all sat down..] 

This is all very simple — it is not a miracle. If a leg were to grow where one 
had been cut off it would be a miracle ; but we have no record that it was ever 
done. I have circulars here, and I want you all to be missionaries to bring the 
blind and lame and the sick to be healed. I take no money, except from the 
rich. The poor — God bless them — it is their right to be healed "without money 
and without price." 

[A gentleman in the room said he felt the influence of the Doctor's magnet- 
ism, and that there was a lady present who was sick. Will the Doctor pass his 



Il6 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

influence ? The Doctor did so and she was healed. * * * A child was 
brought up that had not stepped for six months without its crutches. The 
Doctor took the crutches away, and bade the child to walk, and he stepped off 
without them. The Doctor said there was organic disease of the hip and dis- 
location, which prevented a cure, and illustrated by saying, " If a man's eye is 
out I cannot give him a new one." He then descended from the platform, and 
about one-half of the audience came forward to receive the benefit of the process 
of healing by the laying on of hands, during which one lady touched lightly the 
skirt of his coat, when he said, " That is right. I feel the influence pass from 
me. Be healed." And so he "continued for a long time, passing from one to 
another with rapid touch, saying, " Be healed." During this time one gentle- 
man came to the reporter and stated that his vision was entirely cleared from 
the false images presented for two years previous. But the confusion was so 
great that individual cases could not be noted, though one old gentleman oper- 
ated on stated in the evening that after having hobbled with a cane for a year, 
he was now able to step off briskly, and jumped from the platform, about two 
and a half feet high, and then up again. And the Doctor resumed.] 

When I was in Auburn, in this State, a person was brought to me on a bed, and 
some asked questions, and said it was too bad to bring that poor dying woman 
there ; but still I gathered up my strength and faith, and went to the woman and 
said, " Disease, depart. Arise and walk." She arose on her feet perfectly 
cured. I said, " Go out and eat a good beef steak," and she did so. She had 
been bedridden for three years, and had eaten nothing but gruel from a teaspoon 
for six months. This was late in the fall, and in the spring I heard that she had 
passed a comfortable winter, was able to be about her house, and had gained 
largely in flesh. These things are wonderful, and sometimes I am struck with 
astonishment at the results, the same as others are. I could give you thousands 
of examples, but I give you just what happens to come to my mind. 

Dr. Stone, at Portland, Me. (an eminent physician residing in Westbrook), 
wanted evidence that I did heal the sick that were considered incurable ; so he 
brought a young man that was born decrepit, with his feet turned in so that his 
toes almost pointed toward each other, and his hands and his mind seemed in 
keeping with his feet and legs. Dr. Stone had known him from his birth. I said, 
" Come here," and I put my arm around him and then said, " Bend your knees 
so," (bending mine at the same time). " Now turn your toes out." And then 
his feet and hands came out, and he walked off as well and straight as anybody. 
(A great deal of this power is in the words, with the positive will that I exercise. 
I have recently practised in Havana, and I find that I have better success where 
the language is understood.) I took the lad into the other room, where I had 
patients waiting, and asked him to show the people how he had been, but I 
found he could not get his feet into the position that they were in when he came 
to me, and I often afterwards had the pleasure of seeing him, after being cured 
— a young man as straight and as handsome in address as anyone. 

The religion that Jesus taught was good and glorious, and professing Chris- 
tians are doing good, and could do a great deal more, if they would only practice 
what they profess—" clothe the naked," " feed the hungry," "for inasmuch as ye 



IN NEW YORK CITY AGAIN. 117 

do it unto the least of these ye do it unto me." Let us struggle to do good, and 
when we cross the River of Life we shall not be asked what we believe, but what 
have we done. If we can show good works, then the angels will say, " Come, 
ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foun- 
dation of the world." I believe in the ministration of angels, and that they are 
ever present to help us, and that not only our works but our thoughts are known 
to them. This belief will make men lead better lives ; and there is a time 
coming when there will be a power, a controlling will-force, to compel man- 
kind to lead better lives, through mediums, and the Millennium, that I believe 
is coming, will be in this way 

Angels, or spirits, control us all, more or less. Live right ourselves, and 
then the bright angels can control in love to good works and faith, which are 
the controlling principles of all healing, either of body or mind. Then let us go 
forward from this hour, and improve not only ourselves, but our neighbor, and 
the best way to improve our neighbor is to reform ourselves. 

I have gone through many persecutions in this cause, and I live to thank God 
for all the afflictions I have ever had. We must expect persecution in this age, 
though we take the whole weight of the cross upon our backs. There will arise 
true men and true women, who will give their houses and their lands for the 
Christ principle, and so reform and redeem the world. 

I now thank you for your kindness and attention. Go forth with this love 
that I impart to you, and it is for you to impart it to others. It is the true wis- 
dom from on high ; it is the " pearl of great price," and is eternal. 

A report of the same occasion given in the New York Tribune 
furnishes the following corroborative statements : — 

" He asked those in the audience who were suffering with pain to stand up. 
Some 10 or 15 persons rose to their feet. He imparted to each what he calls a 
shock, and declared them all healed. Some of them afterward said that they 
were suffering with severe headache, and that it left them. He then invited all 
who were afflicted with disease of any kind to come forward and he would heal 
them. Some 100 or more persons came forward, and as they passed by him 
he put his hand on them and imparted the shock and declared them healed. 
One elderly woman sitting behind him, while he was busy, touched his garment. 
He instantly turned and said, "All right, Madam, your faith has healed you." 
To that part of the system which he said was deranged he applied his hand. 
One elderly gentleman, who was and had been quite lame for a long time, came 
forward at the evening service and declared that he was healed, and showed by 
his walking that he was no longer lame. Many others said they were cured or 
very much benefited. Others said they would soon make the result known to 
the Society. The scene was quite exciting. * * * Dr. Newton stated many 
remarkable cures of persons whom he claimed to have healed in different sec- 
tions of the country. Several are well-known citizens of New York. Some per- 
sons who said they had thus been healed by him rose up and confirmed his state- 
ments." 



1 1 S THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

The following statement by a merchant of New York City, resi- 
dent in Brooklyn, appeared in the Religio-Philosophical Journal, of 
Chicago. June 21. 1S79 : — 

Among the many gifted mediums for healing that have been developed in the 
last quarter of the century, none stands out more proudly pre-eminent than Dr. 
J. R Newton, and hundreds of thousands throughout our land can testify to the 
good Spiritualism has done for them through his divine mediumship. On a 
Sunday afternoon in New York City, in a public hall, several years ago, hundreds 
of people were gathered together, among whom were' some on crutches, some 
deaf, and some blind. I had seen a notice of this meeting in one of the daily 
papers, and went to this hall to see if what Dr. N. had advertised to do would 
be accomplished- It was a motley crowd, and when the Doctor said, "All who 
desire to be helped should stand up," two-thirds of all there were present arose 
After a short exhortation, he said, " In the name of Jesus of Nazareth I com- 
mand disease to depart from you." Immediately crutches dropped, eyes that 
could not see were opened, ears were made to hear, and a multitude testified to 
the healing powers of the medium. Beside me sat a lady with her husband ; 
they were Germans ; and, as the words fell from the Doctor's lips, the tears rolled 
down her cheeks, and turning to her husband, she told him she could hear. He 
said she had been deaf for many years, and her countenance was illumined with 
joy, as now she could hear distinctly. They were made glad by the power thus 
manifested. She was at least a dozen feet from the medium. What the power 
was the skeptic must explain ; or was it as in the olden time, when the Master 
said, '•' Thy faith hath made thee whole ? " It made a profound impression upon 
me, and I know that many others were convinced that day, who had scoffed 
before, that some good could come out of Nazareth. 

Brooklyn, N. Y. S. B. NICHOLS. 

In the Xew York Dispatch of Sept. 2, 1866. appeared an ex- 
tended editorial account of the wonders performed by Dr. Xewton. 
presented in the sensational style common to the daily press, but 
embodying facts of which the writer was a personal witness. Some 
extracts from this are transferred to these pages as a part of the 
history of those times : 

Modern Miracles ! — Wonders in the Healuig Art. — T/ie New Bethesda. — The Halt, 
La7?ie, and Blind Cured. — Haw the Ctires are Performed. — The Hygienic Mys- 
tery. — Personal Sketch of Dr. A'ewton, the Healer. — A Wonderful Man. 

Many readers of the Dispatch have, no doubt, heard of Dr. J. R. Newton, 
who calls himself a practical physician, for the treatment of chronic diseases. 
"We had heard that under his marvellous touch the physically helpless suddenly 
resumed their former vigor, and arose up and walked. Rheumatic pains and 
contractions, or the sharp pangs of sciatica mysteriously disappeared. We heard 
that tumors that had been growing for years were made to vanish as if by magic ; 



IN NEW YORK CITY AGAIN. I 19 

in short, that whatever ailment seemed most chronic was the first to yield to the 
power and influence of this wonderful man, after having resisted the assaults of 
the Materia Medica. 

" To see with our own eyes, and not With the eyes of another," to prove all 
things, and hold fast to that which is true, was the purpose for which we visited 
the Doctor at his residence, No. 6 St. Mark's Place, near the Third avenue, in 
this city. The Doctor occupies an elegant mansion, which may not inappropri- 
ately be designated 

A NEW BETHESDA. 

The first floor of the building is used as a reception and waiting-room for 
patients, and during all the hours of the day it is filled — generally to overflowing 
— with the halt, the lame, the maimed, and the blind, who are awaiting their 
"turn" to see the physician whose fame has filled them with "great expecta- 
tions" — men and women who had come, as went the Spanish adventurers, on 
their long journeys after the waters of the fountains of perpetual youth. They 
enter with crutches and spectacles, and supported by friends on either side, and 
in a few minutes they leave without their crutches and canes, and walk gayly 
away. All these wonderful effects are produced without pain ; no medicine is 
used, or surgical operations performed, and the painless manipulations of the 
Doctor seldom last for more than five or ten minutes. 

This reception-room, beside the ordinary furniture, contains a cart-load or 
two of crutches and canes, which have been presented to the Doctor by patients 
who had no further use for them. In this room the visitors are received by Mr. 
Hill, the Doctor's private secretary, whose urbane and gentlemanly manner sets 
visitors at their ease. 
* ********* * 

The Doctor's operating room is on the second floor, and there patients are 
introduced in the order in which they have presented themselves to the secretary. 
When in the presence of the Doctor, all, rich and poor, high or low, are treated 
alike. The Doctor makes no distinction and asks no questions. As we have 
stated, the Materia Medica is not at all consulted by the operator, who relies 
solely upon the self-healing energies which he possesses ; and were his achieve- 
ments within the pale of the scientific world, people would hardly find words to 
express their astonishment and admiration. But they are at variance with con- 
ventional rules and long-established usages, and for this and no other reason 
people refuse to give credence to well-authenticated cases, and satisfy themselves 
by denouncing the whole thing as humbug. People naturally inquire, and will 
insist upon an answer, 

HOW DOES HE DO THESE THINGS.' 

We do not know, and have not yet found any one that could answer. Some 
say it is spirits, others call it animal magnetism, but none are able to give 
an explanation that accords with the accepted rules of natural science. 

The Doctor, without giving any satisfactory explanation, declares it to be in 
accordance with natural laws, and expresses the belief that he is in some way 



120 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

charged with an excess of vitality, which he can impart to those who are deficient, 
and so enable them to throw off disease. This power is not a new thing, but has 
been recognized to a greater or less extent by men of the highest scientific attain- 
ments. But never has it been possessed by any to the degree that Dr. Newton 
possesses it. The Doctor does not pretend to work miracles, but simply to pro- 
duce certain results by natural, though not yet sufficiently defined laws. 

He does not always succeed, and often meets with failure where he was most 
sanguine of success, of which, however, we have only heard from himself. 
* * ********* 

If what this man claims, and which our own and the experience of others 
must abundantly attest, is true, then Doctor Newton is the most wonderful of 
men, endowed with such gifts as are rarely accorded to humanity, and his oper- 
ations are as beneficent as they are marvellous. The Doctor's benefactions are 
within the reach of thousands of the sick and suffering. To those who cannot 
pay, it is offered " without money and without price." It is offered with a cor- 
dial generosity that precludes the idea of speculative humbuggery, and we can 
see no good reason why those who need such help should not seek it. They 
cannot lose even by failure, and how abundantly are they rewarded for all trouble 
and outlay if they are relieved from the pains and vexations to which the flesh is 
liable. 

When we visited the Doctor, it was with the determination to test, as far as 
possible, his claims to the remarkable achievements of which we had heard. To 
do this every facility and convenience was afforded, we were permitted to pass 
days in his operating room, to witness more than a hundred cases, question the 
patients, and in no case did we meet with a person who failed to be benefited. 
The relief from long continued suffering, the racking agony of neuralgia, and 
the torture of sciatica, was so instantaneous, that the astounded patients found 
it impossible to realize that they were cured. The victim of protracted agony 
caused by a contracted limb, upon being told to place it on the floor, would hesi- 
tate, deeming it, as it had long been, a physical impossibility. But the Doctor 
with well feigned violence would insist, and the limb would tread the solid 
ground, and afterward walk briskly into the street, forsaking crutch or cane. 
They would come into the room mute, and leave with most garrulous expressions 
of gratitude. 

Women would come with palpitation of the heart, liver complaint, dropsy, 
and other diseases that left them mere wrecks of humanity. A kind word or 
two, a few simple passes of the hand by the operator, and they were restored to 
health and vigor. "You were afflicted/' the Doctor would say to them, "in a 
way you did not tell me, but you are cured. You will have no more trouble of 
that sort," and the patient would admit the truth, having been cured of an ail- 
ment of which womanly delicacy would forbid a mention, even to a physician. 

All that we have recorded, and much, very much more, we witnessed, and 
heard confirmed in the most emphatic and grateful terms. The parties benefited 
were not only willing but anxious to bear testimony to the good that had been done 
them. With their consent and approval we append the names and address of a 
few, who will be glad to verify, under oath, if need be, to the wonderful results 



IN NEW YORK CITY AGAIN. 121 

which they experienced. Merely adding that we took the trouble to see many 
of the persons named subsequent to placing themselves in the Doctor's hands, 
and learned that the effects stated were not changed with the lapse of time. 

SOME WONDERFUL CURES 

Mrs. Cornelia Appleby, No. 262 Railroad avenue, Jersey city, dropsy of 
the knee joint, had been unable to bend her knee joint for twenty years, per- 
fectly cured in one treatment, occupying about five minutes. 

Clark J. Wait, residence Manchester, Vt., afflicted with a bone ulcer on 
the breast, entirely cured. 

Wm. D. Sperry, No. 16 Maiden Lane, instantly of chronic and inflammatory 
rheumatism. 

Chas. S. Mills, No. 313 Degraw street, Brooklyn, cured of deafness. 

Mrs. Mary F. Kelley, No. 3 Washington street, Brooklyn, for twenty years 
afflicted with chronic headache and great nervousness. Cured in one treatment. 

Child six years of age, son of Geo. F. Vanhouten, Fulton avenue near 
Troy, Brooklyn, lame, contracted limbs. Cured instantly. 

P. C. Fisher, Esq., No. 244 Front street, New York, weak lungs and cough 
for ten years. Cured. 

Mrs. Cordelia Contour, residing at Greenpoint ; had dropsy on the chest, 
and was laid up for eleven months. Cured with one treatment. Had been given 
up by six physicians. Had fifteen quarts of water pass from her ; had suffered 
the most excruciating pain. 

Israel Stone, Esq., No. no West Thirteenth street, New York ; cured of 
heart disease. His wife was also cured, after suffering for ten years of neural- 
gia and female weakness. 

Mrs. Silvia Livingston, No. 75 North Seventh street, Williamsburgh, in- 
stantly cured of stiff hand and fingers. 

Hon. Richard B. Connelly, No. 55 East Thirty-eight street, New York, 
afflicted with weak and inflamed eyes and partial blindness ; had to be confined 
in a dark room. Entirely cured in twenty minutes. 

Margaret B. Williams, No. 104 East Fifteenth street, New York ; spine 
disease. Cured in one treatment. 

Samuel Jolly, No. 61 Fourth street, Williamsburg, N. Y., child cured in- 
stantly of fever and ague. 

Zeno Norton, No. 175 South Second street, Jersey City, N. J., enlarged 
spleen and neuralgia cured with one treatment. 

Louis Herwitz, No. 181 Greenwich street, New York, liver complaint, 
dyspepsia, and confusion of mind almost to insanity, cured with one treatment. 

Ralph S. Ellis, Stockton, Me., congestive chills cured instantly ; was so low 
as not expected to live. His wife was also cured of dropsy from childhood. 

Mrs. C. Vanhouten, No. 106 West Twenty-eight street, New York, neu- 
ralgia, catarrh, and female weakness cured. 

Edward Lyons, No. 41 Greenwich avenue, New York, chronic sore throat 
and fever and ague cured. 



122 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

Michael CONWAY, Manhattanville, N. Y., rheumatism ; unable to walk for 
three years ; brought by four men ; could not raise his hand; perfectly cured. 

Miss Reliance Richmond, Bridgewater, Mass., spine disease, female weak- 
ness, and paralysis two years and four months. She was given over, and was so 
low for ten weeks that it was thought it would be impossible to get her here 
alive. She was brought on a bed. In ten minutes she rose upon her feet cured, 
dressed and walked a quarter of a mile. 

James N. Fifield, Newark, N. J., dyspepsia and chronic diarrhoea cured. 

Capt. John Bunson, No. 245^ State street, Brooklyn, disease of brain, de- 
mentia, cured. 

James McKanna, No. 95 West Forty-first street, New York, cured of almost 
total blindness. 

Mr. Lott Simmonson, No. 627 Broadway, New York, weak eyes and blind- 
ness five years ; had to keep in a dark room ; perfectly cured with five minutes' 
treatment. 

Mrs. Y. Connor, Morrisania, New York, heart disease cured. 

Mrs. Dr. Avery, Bergen, N. J., female weakness ; was so low when brought 
that she could not stand or even sit up ; with ten minutes' treatment she rose 
and walked well and was cured. 

Mrs. Wm. Henry Smeaton, Bergen, N. J., hearing of the above cure, she 
was induced to be brought for treatment ; pafalyzed, unable to walk for seven- 
teen months ; perfectly cured in ten minutes. 

John A. Taylor, Staten Island, N. Y., disease of the heart cured. 

Lucy Hartwell, Bushwick, L. I., was led to rooms, totally blind, on the 
16th of July ; was restored to see to read with fifteen minutes' treatment. 

Charles Riley, No. 82 East Seventh street, New York, almost total blind- 
ness cured. 

From the National Union, of Saugerties : — 

MIRACULOUS CURE. 

John McCall, of Saugerties, a few days ago, was here a poor cripple. Sickness, 
long protracted, had deprived him of the use of his legs, and he had been for 
fourteen months moving about with pain and on crutches. Early this week he 
went down to see Dr. J. R. Newton, at New York City, having been directed 
there by Dr. Max Clohs, of this city. Dr. Newton learned from his lips that he 
was destitute of money, but he pitied him because of his infirmities, at once put 
himself en rapport with his condition, and by mesmeric manipulations, by prayer, 
and by the application of spiritual agencies (such as Elijah employed in bringing 
the dead son of the poor, bereaved widow to life), in the course of a few minutes 
removed the lameness from his limbs, and bade the afflicted man rise and walk. 
Strange, but true, to say, the cripple did rise and walk as was his wont before his 
illness, and to-day he can be seen at the hotel of Wm. Cleary moving around as 
other men, without lameness, and even being able, should he so will, to run, jump 
and dance. 



IN NEW YORK CITY AGAIN. 123 

Dr. Newton is a most wonderful man. His cures are miracles indeed. We 
have personal knowledge of another case of similar cure that he has effected by 
mesmeric and spiritualistic means. He gives all who come to him the benefit 
of his power and gift. Mr. McCall had no money. The Doctor removed his 
lameness gratuitously, and gave him means to pay his passage to Newburgh. 
The touch of divinity made upon humanity in Old Testament times, has not yet 
been effaced. 

From other papers (names lost) . 

Cancer. — Mrs. V. Listnor, of No. 55 Elizabeth street, has just been cured of 
a very bad case of cancer in the mouth by Dr. Newton, by two operations. Her 
affliction had lasted four years, and her mouth and throat had become one mass 
of corruption. 

Tape Worm. — Hugh Edwards Kelley, of No. 52 Van Brunt street, Brook- 
lyn, had a tape worm taken from him, of 22 feet in length, after one operation. 
Dr. Newton predicted the very day and hour it would pass him. 

DEPARTURE FROM THIS CITY OF DR. J. R. NEWTON. 

Dr. J. R. Newton, who, for the past six months has been practising his 
peculiar and wonderfully efficient system of healing at No. 6 St. Mark's Place in 
this city, where he has treated upward of forty thousand cases, has made arrange- 
ments to close his business here on the 31st inst. There are thousands of persons 
whose physical sufferings and infirmities have been relieved at his hands. He 
has made the diseased sound, healed the sick and restored the blind to sight. 
And in no case has he ever refused to put forth his best efforts, and exercise his 
wonderful powers in behalf of the poorest. His visit to our city has not, we 
believe, made him rich in worldly possessions, for with him the acquisition of 
money has been quite a secondary consideration to the desire to do good, and if 
he leaves us with a light exchequer, he will carry with him the affectionate remem- 
brance of grateful hearts, and the best wishes for his success and happiness 
wherever he may go. 

The following testimonies from individuals appeared in the 
papers named : — 

From Charles Partridge, in the New York Tribune: — 
HEALING BY MAGNETISM. 

To the Editor of the New York Tribune : 

Sir, — For the cause of truth and the benefit of suffering humanity, I feel it is 
my duty to state my own experience of the benefits of Dr. Newton's healing 
power. A year ago last May, in turning quick, I ruptured (as the doctors said) 



124 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

a muscle in the calf of my leg, which caused it to turn more or less black from 
my knee to the sole of my foot, and to pain me to my hip. After some days, I 
began to walk with two crutches, holding up the foot, and so continued to do, 
avoiding much exercise, because it pained me and caused my limb to swell. 
Many of our best physicians and surgeons examined and prescribed for me, with- 
out my receiving any benefit, all agreeing that it was the rupture of a muscle ; and 
finally all became of the opinion that the length of time precluded the hope of a 
cure. After a year's suffering, I called, in May last, on Dr. Newton on business, not 
intending to ask for his treatment, having no faith that he could heal a ruptured 
muscle. He, however, perceived intuitively my trouble (for as I sat there were no 
outward signs of it), and said he must first heal me, and immediately commenced 
manipulating my limb ; and in the course of two minutes, pronounced it cured, 
and bade me get up and walk, and I did so without crutches, and have not used 
them since. The pain and soreness left me, but my limb continued to swell by 
much use. I have had three treatments since, and I now call myself entirely 
cured, and walk about as well as ever. 

Another case. My brother, Josiah Partridge, living in Brooklyn, has a daugh- 
ter who has been troubled for four years past with Saint Vitus' dance or chorea. 
She suffered with a constant contraction of her limbs, and twitching of the muscles 
of her face, interfering with her speech. Many physicians tried to help her, but 
failed ; and, being encouraged by the wonderful cure of myself, Josiah took his 
child to Dr. Newton. He passed his hand over her face, head, and spine, bid- 
ding disease to depart, and pronounced her cured ; and she has been well from 
that moment. 

Another case. Dr. Forbush, from Wisconsin, stated to me that he had been 
troubled with a scrofulous sore in his groin, which discharged something like a 
pint a day. He came here considering his life at stake, to consult surgeons and 
be operated on if deemed advisable. On his way here, he conversed with a fel- 
low-passenger who urged him to apply to Dr. Newton. He faithfully consented, 
and did so on the following Saturday, and was treated by Dr. Newton, who pro- 
nounced him cured. Dr. Forbush came to me a stranger, and told me that the 
next day, instead of discharging as it had done a pint a day, that the discharge 
was very trifling — a spoonful or so — and that previously he could not walk a 
block, and now he had walked more than a mile to see me ; and that it did not 
pain him, neither was he tired. I understand that he left in a few days cured. 

I know of my own knowledge many remarkable cases of healing of diseases 
by Dr. Newton, simply by passing his hands over the diseased parts. I have 
been to his house and witnessed his treatment and his success, and have talked 
with many persons he has treated, and I consider that he helps and cures about 
one-half of the multitude and variety of diseases, most of which had been pro- 
nounced incurable by other physicians ; but he thinks he cures three-quarters, 
and he has the best knowledge of the facts. The cures are permanent, and the 
Doctor is in earnest, and is no humbug or deceiver, as is sometimes alleged. 
His charges are proportioned to a person's means, and never burdensome, while 
the poor are treated free of charge. 

I have no interest in Dr. Newton, but I have in suffering humanity, and must, 



IN NEW YORK CITY AGAIN. 125 

from my own experience and observation, urge those afflicted with disease (no 
matter if physicians say it is incurable), to apply to Dr. Newton. 

CHARLES PARTRIDGE, No. 72 Front street. 
New York, Aug. 30, 1866. 

From Moses Cristy, in N. Y. Dispatch ; — 

A JUST TRIBUTE TO DR. J. R. NEWTON. 

New York, Oct. 2, 1866. 
Editor of N. Y Dispatch: 

Dear Sir, — Having seen in the Tribune of Sept. 10, an account of "Heal- 
ing by Magnetism," I cannot, in justice to Dr. Newton, or to my own feelings, 
refrain from giving a true statement of the most wonderful and impressive scene 
that I have ever witnessed in my life of nearly fifty years. The daughter of my 
brother, a farmer, residing in New Boston, N. H., has, for the past three years, 
been one of the greatest sufferers, and for six years an invalid, suffering from 
spinal disease and other ailments. Her father has labored by day and night to 
secure for her the services of eleven of the best physicians in the neighborhood 
of his home, but her disease has defied their utmost efforts and skill, and they 
had left her to linger and die, declaring they could do no more for her. 

The father, in agony of heart, wrote me that he knew not what to do. Deeply 
sympathizing with him, and being about to visit some friends in Vermont, I wrote 
to inform him that I had heard of one Dr. J. R. Newton (but I had never seen 
him), who was reported to have performed some wonderful cures, and if his daugh- 
ter wished to come, and could bear the journey of 250 miles, and would write me 
while in Vermont, I would go to his house and bring her home with me to see 
Dr. Newton. The answer was in the affirmative, and I went to see my niece ; 
but when I entered the chamber of the sick girl, and looked upon her wan and 
emaciated body, that had wasted since I last saw her from one hundred and 
twenty-five pounds to less than seventy : when I recollected that she had lain in 
that situation for two long years, depending for every motion upon kind and 
gentle hands : my faith left me. I did not believe she could be moved, much 
less cured. 

She was, however, willing and anxious to make the attempt ; and when we 
laid her carefully upon a narrow bed, and carried her down stairs, and placed 
her in a carriage to ride 18 miles to the cars, it seemed the height of folly to start 
on such an undertaking with such a charge, with such a faint hold on human life. 
When she reached the cars, she said it seemed as though all her strength was 
gone, and that she could not live much longer. She was, however, restored by 
the use of stimulants, and we went on. She was taken one hundred and seven- 
teen miles by railroad, and one hundred and fifteen miles by steamboat, and 
arrived in New York on the morning of August 30. The patient had suffered 
intensely through the whole of the journey. It was with great difficulty that she 
was carried on a stretcher to the house of her friends. She reached them, 
however, but not to greet them. Her father and two weeping sisters with 
others, stood around what all supposed to be her dying bed. 



126 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

Dr. Newton had been informed of her case, and in the unbounded kind- 
ness of his heart (contrary to his practice) he left his house, and hastened to the 
sick girl. 

The solemnity and impressiveness of that scene will forever be remembered 
by all who were present, but it can never be described. In a manner (as the 
Doctor truly savs) peculiar to himself, he treated the unconscious and apparently 
dying patient, and in less than three minutes she sat up in bed. She then arose 
to her feet and walked the floor, with the Doctor's assistance. 

Her pain and suffering had all gone. Her spine, which had not been touched 
for vears without giving her intense pain, could now be roughly handled by a'.i 
present. Food was immediately ordered, and amid the solemn silence of the 
room, where there was no sound save the sobs and fast-flowing tears of joy, she 
partook of the food. She ate heartily and relished and enjoyed such a meal as 
she had not done in five years. 

I am forced to look back by day and by night, with wonder and amazement, 
at the above described scene, and bound to acknowledge that it is beyond the 
reach of my mind to understand. I have only to say that her pleasant voice and 
cheerful smile greet us at the table of the family circle daily. She has continued 
to improve from that hour, and stands to-day a living witness, ever ready to tes- 
tify to the power and goodness of her Heavenly Father as extended to her 
through the kind-hearted and benevolent Dr. Newton. MOSES CRI5TY. 

No. 3S0 Pearl Street, N. Y * 

From Dr. C. D. Hay, in the Washington Chronicle ; — 

Editor Chronicle: 

I desire to call the attention of the afflicted to the wonderful healing powers 
of Dr. J. R. Newton, by s:a::r.g what has come under my own observation. 

My wife's sister, Mrs. Calvert, had a hard tumor in her left breast, about the 
size of an almond, which had caused her much uneasiness for eight years past, her 
mother having died of a similar tumor in her breast, and my wife having also 
had a similar one taken out by surgical operation some years since by Dr. May. 

This tumor of Mrs. C.'s was entirely dissipated and removed in my presence 
in the incredibly short space of one minute, and no trace of it has since returned — 
more than a week having since elapsed. I have also seen more than a dozen 
persons who have been cured of different maladies by Dr. Newton, and that 
without any medicines whatever. C. D. HAY, 

Washington, D. C. 

* In a note to the editor, under date of 3S0 Pearl street. New York, Dec. 13, 1S7;, Mr. 
Cristy says, in relation to this and a subsequent case given in chapter XIX. of this volume : 

" The cure cf mv niece by Dr. Newton, as written ir. 1867, "'"is a lasting one, and I cannot see 
anv reason to alter the account in any manner or particular. I consider the second cure, of con- 
gestion of the lungs, the greater and most wonderful one, but I have never seen any written 
account of it. It was at my house in Greenwich, Ct., in Jan'y, 1S71. My niece is now with me 
and in verv comfortable health." 



IN UTICA, N. Y., ETC. 127 



CHAPTER X. 

IN UTICA, TROY, ELMIRA, BUFFALO, N. Y., TOLEDO AND COLUMBUS, O., 
AND OTHER WESTERN CITIES. 

Invitation to Utica. — Testimony of the Observer. — Other Testimonies. — Cures at Troy. — 
At Elmira.— At Rochester.— At Buffalo.— At Toledo.— At Columbus.— At Belle- 
fontaine. — At Indianapolis. — At St. Louis. 

After a very successful practice of several months in New 
York City, Dr. Newton, in response to invitations, visited some of 
the principal cities of the State. The newspaper and other ac- 
counts which have been preserved give some indication of the 
results of these visits. The visit to Utica was made in compliance 
with an invitation emanating, as the Daily Observer of that city 
remarked, " from an excellent body of citizens." It was as fol- 
lows : — 

Dr. J. R. Newton : 

Dear Sir, — We, the undersigned citizens of Utica, having heard of the won- 
derful cures you are daily performing, would respectfully invite you, at your 
earliest convenience, to visit our city, feeling satisfied — should you do so — that 
your sojourn will relieve many sufferers, and that they will be substantially bene- 
fited thereby. 

W. B. Lord, W. M. Storrs, 

A. S. Herendeen, J. W. Church, 

J. Griffiths, Theo. S. Sayre, 

H. C. Faber, James Eaton, 

Jas. McQuade, W. Spruce, 

W. H. Duval, B. F. Davies, 

Theo. F. Butterfield, J. A. Southworth, 

Thomas Davis, A. T. Spencer, 

George Ralph, Herman Ehle, 

Isaac Whiffen, Wm. H. Robinson. 
J. H. Howe. 



128 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

REPLY. 

Syracuse, October 8th, 1867. 
Gentlemen, — Your kind invitation to practice in Utica I cordially accept, 
with many thanks for the courtesy. I will be at Baggs' Hotel from October 20th 
to November 14th. 

I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. R. NEWTON, M. D. 

Messrs. \V. B. Lord and others, Utica, N. Y. 

The Observer, of subsequent dates, contained the following edi- 
torial testimonies : — 

DR. J. R. NEWTON. 

This gentleman, whose fame as a " healing physician " is as widespread as 
the continent, is now staying at Baggs' Hotel, in this city, and will remain for 
two weeks longer, for the cure of disease in its various forms. Large numbers 
attend his rooms daily, and many go away rejoicing. Among others, this morn- 
ing, Mr. Henry W. Adams, of Oriskany Falls, who has been laboring for some 
time under an attack of chronic rheumatism, managed to crawl to the Doctor's 
rooms, by the aid of a cane in each hand. In a few minutes he emerged from 
the rooms, leaving hfs canes behind him, and walking erect and at ease. The 
Doctor uses no medicine, relying simply upon a healing efficacy which may be 
called magnetism, for want of a better word. Those who are cured of their dis- 
eases and afflictions will not be likely to complain that they were healed without 
medicine. The Doctor's charges are moderate, and proportioned to the means 
of the patient, and we feel that we are simply doing our duty in advising those 
who are afflicted to call and see him. 

HEALING THE SICK. 

The invitation which Dr. J. R. Newton extended to the sick and the crippled 
to come to Mechanics' Hall yesterday morning and be healed, served to bring 
together a very respectable audience, though many present were not there to 
obtain relief. Nearly all were acquainted with the fame which the Doctor had 
acquired during the past six or eight years, and expected to see remarkable 
things done. 

Dr. Newton came upon the platform at half -past ten o'clock. He is not above 
medium size, but well organized, and has muscles of steel ; has a finely-formed 
head, and a face wearing a kindly expression. The Doctor proceeded to say 
that he possessed the gift of healing, and had performed cures since he was a 
child. His power was not miraculous, though wonderful in extent. * * * 
It is the power with which Christ healed the sick, and the power He gave to 
His disciples when he sent them forth. It is such a power as every Chistian 
teacher ought to be liberally endowed with, for every minister of the gospel 
should have the healing power. The Doctor told of many remarkable cures 
which he had effected, and of the pleasure he found in doing good without 



IN UTICA, N. Y., ETC. 1 29 

money and without price. He told of a cure which he effected in Oswego 
several years ago, in the case of our friend Lord, of the New York Furniture 
Warehouse, and Mr. Lord, who was present, endorsed the Doctor's statement. 
Mr. Lord is a stout believer in the wonderful gifts of Dr. Newton. The Doctor 
invited the sick and the halt to come forward, and, though there was hesitation 
at first, all reserve disappeared, and we think all went forward who were in any 
way afflicted with bodily ailments. The Doctor spent an hour in healing. Gen- 
erally he would touch the part affected, call upon the disease to depart, and 
declare the patient healed. In nearly every case the patient confessed himself 
to feeling better, and some declared with happy faces that they had been wholly 
and suddenly cured. A few said they were not sensible of receiving any benefit. 
The Doctor charged nothing for his cures, and believes that his power would 
be lessened should he use it for the purpose of getting rich — should he withhold 
services from the poor. When he left the stage he was still pursued by patients ; 
and still when he went into the street. And at Baggs' Hotel, in the afternoon 
and evening, he was visited by considerable numbers, the story of his cures in 
the morning having travelled rapidly over the city. Mr. Lane, who fell through 
the Broad street bridge, a few weeks since, met the Doctor on the street yester- 
day afternoon. The Doctor arrested Mr. Lane's painful progress upon crutches, 
used his healing power upon him, took away his crutches and sent him away 
wondering and upon unaided legs. Collector Whiffin, who happened to be at 
Baggs' Hotel in the evening, was induced to let the Doctor operate upon him, 
and Mr. W., who went up stairs limping with rheumatism, came down in the 
most coltish and comfortable condition. It is proper to say, however, that his 
rheumatism partially returned this morning, but it is far from being as painful as 
yesterday. 

The following statements of cures effected in Utica, are from 
other sources : — 

W. B. Lord, of Utica, was cured of a large tumor on the neck, of many 
years' growth. He went to the Doctor's rooms, hoping to be cured, but having 
but little faith. The Doctor told him he could remove the tumor, but not 
instantly ; but that in fifty-six days it would disappear. 

Mr. Lord took his memorandum book and wrote : " Hocus pocus — Dr. New- 
ton says in fifty-six days I shall be cured." 

After receiving treatment, Mr. Lord went home. No change appeared 
until the fifty-second day, when the tumor began to discharge, and on the fifty- 
sixth day it had entirely disappeared. 

It is needless to state that Mr. Lord became one of the Doctor's warmest 
friends, and a firm believer in the power to heal disease by the laying on of 
hands. He still resides in Utica and takes pleasure in relating the particulars 
of his cure." * 

* Mr. Lord, in a note to the editor, dated Utica, Dec. 1, 1875, says, this " report was sub- 
stantially correct. The cure was permanent/' 



130 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

" W. H. Duval, Esq., of Utica, had a straight finger for sixteen years — the 
effect of a cut. He said to Dr. Newton, ' There is something you cannot 
cure.' But by the merest touch the Doctor made the finger flexible, and in a 
few moments he could bend and use it as well as ever." 

The following cures are reported as having occurred in the 
city of Troy : — 

Stillwater, Saratoga Co., N. Y. 
Dr. J. R. Newton : 

Dear Sir, — A duty I owe to mankind impels me to make a plain statement of 
facts. For the last four years and eight months my wife has been paralyzed from 
a bad curvature of the spine and other difficulties, and unable to walk during all 
that time. I have had all the best physicions I could hear of, at a cost of over 
two hundred dollars a year. We had despaired of her ever being able to walk 
again until we heard of you and the wonderful cures you were performing in 
Troy. I called on you there. You said, " I can cure your wife." I said, " I 
have but little faith." You replied : " If you have faith enough to bring her 
here, I can certainly cure her. I never fail of curing a disease of this kind." 
With this assurance I carried my wife with great difficulty to you, and with five 
minutes' treatment she was able to stand up ; in ten minutes more she could 
walk with some one at her side, and in thirty minutes more she could walk un- 
aided. She was perfectly cured and continues well as any one. Thanks to our 

heavenly Father. 

Yours, with deep gratitude, 

WM. M. BARTLETT. 
From the Troy Press : — 

Dr. J. R. Newton, at No. 10 State street, Troy, is doing wonders, curing dis- 
eases of the " blind, the lame and the halt " without the use of medicine. The 
poor will be operated upon free. The Doctor does not pretend to cure all, but 
cures many. 

Read the following testimonial — 

Dr. J. R. Newton : 

Dear Sir, — A sense of gratitude prompts me to send you a statement of my 
sufferings and cure, which you have my permission to publish if you think 
proper. Eight months ago I was attacked with inflammation of the outer cover- 
ing of the shin bone in both limbs, and have suffered intense pain ever since ; 
and for the last four months have been entirely unable to walk, until about two 
weeks ago I was set upon my feet and restored to perfect health by you, in one 
treatment of about ten minutes. For which I remain, gratefully yours, 

MRS. E. F. ROGERS. 

WONDERFUL CURES BY DR. J. R. NEWTON. 
Dr. J. R. Newton, the celebrated healer, was in Troy last week, and per- 



IN TROY AND ELMIRA,. N.- Y. I3I 

formed some remarkable cures. He uses no medicine whatever, and the cures 
by his treatment bring to mind the "miracles" of olden time. The blind are 
made to see and the lame to walk, often by a single treatment. Mr. Henry Van 
Buren, of Troy, had the rheumatism so badly that he was pronounced incurable 
by six different physicians. Dr. Newton cured him in a few minutes and he went 
to work the next day. Some of our readers may think that the Doctor's cures 
are not lasting, and that the malady will return after a time. All who have this 
idea should read the following certificate in regard to a young lady of this city, 
who was treated for blindness six years ago, and whose eyesight has not failed 
her since : — 

Troy, Nov. 10, 1869. 
Dr. J. R. Newton : — Allow me to express my gratitude to you for the won- 
derful cure performed by you on my daughter six years ago. She had been 
nearly blind with inflamed eyes about fourteen years. At times she would have 
to be kept in a dark room, and could not bear a light. We had tried a great 
many different eye doctors and remedies, and to no effect, until you operated on 
her, when she was perfectly restored, and has remained soever since, and is now 
in better health than she was previously. She is able to read fine print and sew 
on fine goods, etc. Any one wishing to know any thing in regard to the case can 
be referred to me. 

ALEXANDER McCOY, 
No. 255 Eighth street. 

The editor of the Tioga Democrat, published at Waverly, N. Y., 
gave the following statement of what he witnessed at Elmira : — 

J. R. NEWTON, M. D. 

Being present at the rooms of this eminent and wonderful physician of 
Rochester, some five hours, while treating a large number of persons at the 
Brainard House in Elmira, we must be excused for occupying so much space in 
the Democrat, respecting his treatment and most astonishing cures. 

Dr. Newton's practice is mostly confined to diseases and cases given up by 
other medical men as incurable. His treatment is not only peculiar to himself, 
but seems to have magnetic power over the disease of the body and mind. He 
calls it the " Gift of Healing." He restores to vitality by equalizing the circula- 
tion of the vital or nervous fluid. 

* * * * * * ** * 

We have great faith in Dr. Newton's " healing power." Some may say " it's 
all humbug." Others, that " the cures cannot last," but from what we witnessed 
during his treatment of some seventy or eighty persons — the blind, the lame, the 
deaf, the rheumatic, the palsied, the scrofulous, etc., etc. — stern facts compel us 
to pronounce his magnetic power of healing wonderful and scientific. He made 
the lame walk, the deaf hear, the blind see, and performed almost miracles in 
our presence. * * * 



132 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

Our daughter, who was shot in her right hand by a revolver, the ball passing 
up her arm, was restored in a minute, being able to open and shut her hand with 
perfect ease and without pain, restoring its natural warmth and vitality. For a 
year and a half she could not open nor shut her hand, nor restore its usual heat. 
She has resumed her music lessons much to her delight. 

Other statements that have been preserved are as follows : — 

Rochester, Feb. 22. 
Dr. J. R. Newton, 

My Dear Sir : — I suppose you have forgotten me, but I shall never forget my 
benefactor. I had been afflicted with rheumatism and neuralgia for more than 
twenty years. I called to see you and in less than five minutes you cured me, so 
that I was enabled to throw aside my crutches. It is now two years since then ; 
and, thank God, I have had no return of- the disease, and am as strong and well 
as I was before I was taken ill. 

Believe me, I am yours, with grateful thanks, 

R. G. WELLS. 

From the American Spiritualist, Cleveland, O : — 

DR. J. R. NEWTON AT BUFFALO. 

Editors American Spiritualist : — "Wonders will never cease ;" and so must 
many of our citizens have thought, as, close on the heels of the retreating army 
of Spiritualists, who had been here in attendance at our late National Conven- 
tion, came Dr. J. R. Newton, the world-renowned healer, bringing health and 
happiness to the sick and afflicted — thereby shaking well the dry bones of our 
fossilized sectarians, many of whom, since the Doctor's coming, have been led to 
exclaim, like the Pharisees of old, " What manner of man is this " who " healeth 
every sickness and disease among the people," and "maketh both the deaf to 
hear and the dumb to speak ? " as exemplified in the subjoined cases. 

Cures performed by Dr. Newton, while at the Bloomer House, Buffalo, N. Y., 
September 4th, 5th, and 6th : The most noted was that of a Mrs. Elijah Bliss, of 
Hume, Alleghany County, N. Y. [Omitted here, because given more fully in the 
following extract. — Ed.] A young woman, deaf and dumb since three years of 
age, with one treatment heard common conversation and repeated the alphabet, 
etc., after the Doctor and others present. A German woman, totally blind in 
one eye, received her sight with one treatment. A young man, one of the waiters 
at the Bloomer House, who had for the past year been afflicted with slow paral- 
ysis, being brought to the Doctor was cured, so that the next day he was enabled 
to return to his former post, waiting upon table. 

These, and many similar facts regarding the Doctor's " good works " among 
us, being personally known to me, I gladly submit the same to your readers, as 
proofs positive of the signs which do follow all Heaven-ordained ministers labor- 
ing for the spread of truth's holy gospel. C. H. M. 



IN BUFFALO, N. Y. 1 33 

From the Banner of Light : — 

Editors Banner : — On the 18th of the present month, I was an eye-witness to 
some very remarkable cures by Dr. J. R. Newton at his rooms in the Bloomer 
House, Buffalo, N. Y. Two of these cures I wish to report, as a tribute of respect 
to the Doctor, and also for the benefit of the readers of the Banner. 

First I will mention the case of the wife of Elijah Bliss, of Hume, Alleghany 
Co., N. Y. She is forty-eight years old, but in consequence of much suffering 
appeared to be sixty. She had spinal disease and female weakness. Had not 
walked in nine years. Had not been dressed in six years, nor had on shoes, 
and had not been able to sit in a chair during that time. Her limbs were entirely 
paralyzed. In ten minutes after she was brought into the Doctor's room she was 
completely restored, and walked through the house from room to room shouting 
and praising God, while tears of joy were streaming down her cheeks. Her hus- 
band and two daughters accompanied her. One daughter, nearly eleven years 
of age, had never seen her mother walk before, and only knew her as an invalid, 
unable to leave her bed ; and as her mother now walked across the floor and 
grasped the hands of her children, all present were affected to tears ; many were 
witnesses of the scene. The facts concerning the patient's past condition for 
nine years were given me by herself and eldest daughter. 

The other case which I wish to relate is that of a deaf and dumb girl, about 
eighteen years old, who had not spoken since three years of age, and was totally 
deaf for the same time. She was fully restored to speech and hearing in ten 
minutes, and all present heard her speak and saw the Doctor test her hearing, 
by standing one side and partly back of her, so that she could not see his lips 
move, and at the distance of three feet from her, when she could hear him whis- 
per, and would answer questions and repeat names, etc., after him. The facts 
concerning her past condition were given me by her sister, who was with her. I 
made the journey to Buffalo, a distance of near two hundred miles, mainly to 
visit Dr. Newton, who is truly my benefactor in an especial manner, for which I 
am truly grateful. I became acquainted with Dr. N. two years ago, at which 
time he restored my sight from total blindness, an account of which wonderful 
cure I propose to give to the readers of the Banner ere long. W. 

During a western tour made about this time, in compliance with 
invitations received from prominent citizens of various places, the 
same success attended the labors of the healer, as evinced by the 
following testimonies taken chiefly from the local papers. 

From the Toledo (O.) Record : — 

A REMARKABLE CURE. 

Mrs. Margaret Fuller, of Washington township, Wood county, who was 
thrown from a horse twenty-five years ago, by which her spine was so much 
affected that she has not since been able to walk, visited Doctor Newton, now stop- 



134 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

ping at the Oliver House in this city, who cures all maladies that human flesh 
and bones is heir to, by a magic power that is truly wonderful. Mrs. F. came 
down yesterday morning on the D. & M. accommodation, visited the Doctor, 
and at half-past eleven, a.m., called at our office, having walked a quarter of a 
mile ! She said she felt as well and strong as she ever did, and could scarcely 
be induced to sit down. She came to have us publish the fact that others simi- 
larly afflicted may be blessed as she has been. The Doctor is daily astonishing 
the people with examples of his healing power. He is unable to explain how he 
cures, but believes his power to heal is daily increasing. It is certainly wonder- 
ful. The lady now before us we know personally. She is highly respectable, 
and we do not wonder that she is almost wild with delight at her immediate re- 
covery. She is the sister of Major Stratton, of the ioth Ohio Cavalry, and the 
mother of Lieuts. J. S. and S. D. Fuller* 

From the Columbus (O.) Journal: — 

A WONDERFUL DOCTOR. 

In accordance with an intention expressed in our last issue, we were yester- 
day present at a series of operations performed at Ambos' Hall, by Dr. J. R. 
Newton, who claims to cure most cases of sickness and bodily affliction, almost 
instantaneously, by magnetic influence, or will-power. Without venturing an 
opinion as to the permanency of the cures, or endeavoring to explain causes, we 
shall simply relate our observations, and the modus operandi adopted by this 
singular physician. 

In the Hall were congregated at least two hundred afflicted members of 
the human family, — some blind, or partially so, a few temporarily lame or per- 
manently crippled, and others suffering with " all the ills that flesh is heir to." 
These were admitted, a dozen at a time, into an ante-room, where stood the 
"Doctor," a heavy-set, well-developed, pleasant looking gentleman, about sixty 
years of age. Seating themselves on benches ranged upon three sides of the 
room, Dr. Newton addressed them in substance as follows : " In order that you 
may be cured, it is necessary that you bear good will to all men ; that you love 
your neighbor as yourself, and that you have implicit faith in my works." He 
then called the patients, one by one, to their feet, where they were able to stand, 
and passing his hands gently across their foreheads, exclaimed, " May God bless 
you : may the angels bless you." The diseased members or parts were next sub- 
jected to severe manipulation by the Doctor, who stood a greater portion of the 

* A note of inquiry, addressed to Mrs. Fuller, by the editor of t'lis volume, brought the fol- 
lowing response, dated Tontogany, Ohio, Dec. 28, 1875 : — 

"That which you saw on record is strictly true. I was thrown backward from my horse and 
injured my spine when I was 14 years old, and did not walk for 25 years — as my father and oldest 
sister, living at Berea, Ohio, and all my brothers and sisters, eight in number, and eight children, 
and a great number of neighbors, would testify — as well as my husband, and the gentleman who 
went into the room with me and my husband when I was cured. He still lives in this place, and 
is keeping the Railroad Hotel. I am not strong— never was, but can walk and do light work. 

* # # M. Fuller." 



IN COLUMBUS, O. 135 

time with closed eyes, and in a position indicative of considerable mental and 
bodily exertion, remarking as he worked, " It will leave you — use no medicine — 
you are well — walk off." 

Among those who came for treatment, was a lady afflicted with sore eyes, of 
one of which she had had no use for about fifteen years. By pressing the inflamed 
organs with the balls of his thumbs, and by rubbing her face in the region of the 
eyes violently with his hands for a few minutes, she declared herself improved, 
and in a short time was able to read a newspaper without inconvenience ; a thing 
she had seldom done in fifteen years. A rheumatic Teuton came hopping in, by 
the aid of a crutch. A twisting and slapping of the limb ensued, when the Doc- 
tor walked him out of the room, with his crutch dangling unused by his side. 

And so the healing process continued. Those suffering with asthma, tumors, 
deafness, weakness, and other complaints, were dealt with in nearly the same 
manner as the foregoing. One remarkable feature of the affair was the readiness 
with which the operator in most instances told the disease by which the patient 
was afflicted. Another inexplicable feature, and one which we conceive to be 
miraculous (provided a cure has been effected), was the presentation of a gar- 
ment belonging to a bedridden woman. The Doctor, taking it between his hands, 
closed his eyes, and bade the fever with which the woman was possessed " de- 
part," — declaring to the messenger who brought it that the woman was healed, 
and bidding him go home and tell her to get out of bed. 

As we have before remarked, we do not attempt to offer any explanation con- 
cerning this vexed subject, but leave it for time and future investigation to de- 
termine the efficacy or fallacy of the treatment adopted by Dr. Newton. We, 
however, advise the ailing and the curious to visit the Doctor and judge for 
themselves. 

From the Miami Gazette, Waynesville, O. 

DOCTOR NEWTON. 

On our first page we give an account of some of the operations of Dr. 
J. R. Newton, who has been effecting some wonderful cures in Columbus during 
the past few weeks. Since that article was put in type, some convincing proofs 
of the Doctor's ability have come under our personal observation, and we 
give our invalid readers the benefit thereof: Almost every one in Waynes- 
ville knows little Eddie Kingdon, who for three years past has not been able 
to walk without a crutch, and the nerves of whose leg has been so much con- 
tracted that it was almost bent double — so much so at least, that he has with the 
utmost difficulty, brought his foot to the ground. It is needless to say that 
various means had been employed in the endeavor to effect a cure, but all with 
little or no effect. On Thursday last, the boy was taken to Columbus on the 
midnight train, was operated upon a few minutes by Dr. Newton, returned in the 
evening of Friday without his crutch, and walked from Corwin to Waynesville 
without discomfort or fatigue, and is now able to run and jump with ease. 

The other case is that of Mr. Dakin, who resides between Harveysburg and 
Waynesville, who went to Dr. Newton at the same time. This gentleman had 



I36 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

been almost utterly prostrated for six months by rheumatism, and had not 
walked to any extent during that time ; indeed he had to be lifted on to the cars 
when embarking for Columbus. On Saturday last he returned, able to walk 
quite briskly, and also relieved of a very troublesome affection in the throat 
which had before prevented his swallowing without much pain. 

We have been told of other equally (as it would seem) miraculous cures per- 
formed by Dr. Newton, but the cases above mentioned we can vouch for as being 
reliable. * * * 

The Doctor will not take fees from persons who are not worth over one 
thousand dollars ; and his conduct stamps him as a Christian as well as an ex. 
traordinary physician. We are led to these remarks because we believe we 
render a service to the afflicted, not because we are interested in promoting the 
Doctor's patronage other than by relieving the sick. As he goes about the world 
doing good, his power must be derived from a good source ; and hence he may 
certainly be classed among those who are, in the highest sense, helping on the 
millenium. 

The following, published in the Banner of Light, in 1866, has 

reference, doubtless, to a cure performed by Dr. N. on a previous 

western tour : — 

VOLUNTARY TESTIMONY. 

Since my cure by Dr. J. R. Newton, in Columbus, after nine years' inability to 
walk, was published in the Banner, Jan 6th, we are receiving letters from all 
parts of the country, inquiring whether I can walk now. I am happy to say to 
all, far and near, that I can, and am hoping that very many blessings may descend 
on my God-sent deliverer. And, while I thank the Lord for what he has done for 
me, I hope he will do as much for thousands of others who are yet suffering, and 
whom drugs cannot cure. * * * I had given up all hope of relief, yet won- 
dered why it was that people could not be cured as in Christ's time, and if there 
was any way that I might find it ; and, thank the Lord, I found it, to the joy of 
all our friends. Yours truly, 

ELIZA VINCENT. 

Marietta, Ohio, March 13, 1866. 

LETTER FROM C. P. THOMAS TO DR. NEWTON. 

My Dear Sir, — I write to make a statement in regard to the cure you made 
of my daughter in Eellefontaine, Ohio. She had been entirely blind for one year 
and we had tried many skilful physicians, but to no effect. When I heard of 
your wonderful cures, I took her to you, and in three minutes' time, by your 
touch alone, my daughter was perfectly restored to sight, and remains so to this 
day. I shall ever feel deep gratitude to you and the good powers above for the 
great good done my child " without money and without price." 

Most truly yours, 

C. P. THOMAS, 

Per Dr. S. Maxwell. 



IN BELLEFONTAINE, O., ETC. 137 

Affidavit of Abraham Clarke, of Indianapolis. Ind. 

Indianapolis, Nov. 30, 1868. 

Dr. J. R. Newton. Dear Sir : — Duty impels me to give you a plain state- 
ment of my life's suffering and cure by you, which you may publish. 

I, Abraham Clarke, of Indianapolis, Ind., 21 years old the 25th inst., having 
been a paralytic cripple ever since I was three months old, unable even to lift my 
hands up to my head, or walk without great difficulty, and so nervous that I could 
hardly stand or sit still, and at times suffering so great pain that my wailings 
were intolerable to those around me. On Saturday, Nov. 28th, I went with my 
mother to see if you could cure me, for I had heard so much of your wonderful 
power of curing all kinds of diseases without medicine that all other doctors said 
were incurable, that I had faith that you could cure me. Now, to make a short 
story, you cured me perfectly with one treatment. I arose upon my feet, walked 
without limping, with a firm easy step, raised my hands over my head, then I 
took a large heavy chair in either hand by the leg of each, balancing them above 
my head, as few well men can do, and to sum it all up, I say that I am made 
whole and sound as any other man as far as I know or others discern, and for 
the first time in my life in the full enjoyment of health, and I thank my Heavenly 
Father that I am a well man. My former life and suffering seems like a dream. 

In gratitude I am your friend, ABRAHAM CLARKE. 

Indianapolis, Nov. 10th, 1868. 
Personally appeared before me, Abraham Clarke, who deposes, under oath, 
that the foregoing statement is every word true. 

Subscribed and sworn to before me, J. P. Pinkerton, a Notary Public, in and 
for the county of Marion, and State of Indiana. 

J. P. PINKERTON, 

Notary Public. 
The foregoing statement of my son, Abraham Clarke, is all true. 

ISABELLA CLARKE. 

From a correspondent of the Topeka (Kan.) State Record : — 

There is considerable excitement in town (Leavenworth) just now over the 
marvellous doings of Dr. J. R. Newton, the great magnetic healer. He is stop- 
ping at the Planters', has two rooms and a private secretary. He treats all 
who come to him, and only takes money from the rich. I heard so much of his 
healing that I went to the Opera House this morning to see and hear for myself. 
It was nearly full of a very respectable appearing audience. The Doctor is a man 
about sixty years old, of portly appearance, with gray hair and whiskers. He 
has an excellent physique, and would pass anywhere as an honest, upright man. 
After talking a short time, explaining his mode of treatment, which is purely 
magnetic, he proceeded to heal. People with all manner of diseases came for- 
ward and were treated, and went off apparently satisfied. Some eight or ten 
were cured of deafness, among them Mrs. Judge Halderman. The most affect- 



I38 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

ing case was tnat of a woman who had been totally blind for three years. She 
lives in the city, and is well known. The Doctor told her that he thought her case 
was past cure, but she insisted upon being treated, saying that she had heard of 
him and had faith that he could cure her. He operated upon her about twenty 
minutes, when she opened her eyes and a white film that had gathered upon 
them came off, and she could see quite plainly. She could distinguish the au- 
dience and other things around her. Her little boy, about 10 years old, led her 
to the house when she came, and almost the first thing she did after her sight 
was restored, was to look at him and exclaim, " What a pretty fellow ! " She then 
hurried home to see five more children that she had not seen in three years. I am 
told that he has healed to-day at his rooms a woman that has been bedridden 
eleven months, and that she walked around the house, and got into the wagon 
alone. I believe that he is to stay here two weeks yet, and will undoubtedly 
have crowds at his rooms. X. 



HEALING AT A DISTANCE. 1 39 



CHAPTER XL 

HEALING AT A DISTANCE. 

The Process Explained by Dr. Newton. — Cases at Chicago, III.— At Gouverneur, N. Y. — 
At Gallipolis, O.— At Ballston Spa, N. Y.— At Broadhead, Wis.— At Ridgeway, 
Kan.— At Claremont, N. H.— At Waltham, Mass.— At Greenfield, Mass.— At St. 
Louis, Mo.— At Mt. Washington, Ky.— At Kendall's Mills, Me.— At Salt Lake City, 
Utah.— At Swansea, Mass.— At Bunker Hill, 111.— At Gardiner, Me.— At Fulton, N. 
Y— At Dorset, Vt.— At Fontana, Kan.— At Pen Yan, N. Y.— At La Conner, W. T.— 
At Seville, Ohio.— At Brooklyn, N. Y.— At Guilford, Vt.— At East Concord, Vt. 

The power of curing disease at a distance, as frequently ex- 
erted by and through Dr. Newton, is not only very remarkable, but 
to many seems quite incredible. Some instances have already been 
given as having occurred during a season of extraordinary " out- 
pouring " of healing power at Auburn, N. Y., in 1864. (See 
chap, viii.) The mere claim that such a power could be exercised 
was, and still is, by many religious people, deemed little short of 
blasphemy, although the histories of Jesus and Paul in the New 
Testament give several examples of such power, and Jesus ex- 
pressly said that those who believed on Him should do the works 
which he did, and even greater. (See Mat. viii. 13 ; Jno. iv. 50, 
51; Luke vii. 7, 10; Acts xix. 12 ; Jno. xiv. 12.) This is suf- 
ficient to show that the author of Christianity regarded this power 
as resultant from a general law, and available to all believers. 

But its reality is not a question of religion, or of theology, but of 
fact, capable of being established by testimony. And so abundant 
and overwhelming are the testimonies in the case of Dr. Newton, 
that it is thought proper to devote an entire chapter to the subject. 

First, attention is invited to some instructive observations on 
this mode of healing by Dr. Newton. He writes : — 

" I learned this method of healing from the teachings and works of Jesus. In 
the case of the nobleman's son, he said to the father : " Go thy way, thy son 



140 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

liveth," and at the same hour the son was cured. The healing power must have 
been conveyed to the son simultaneously with these words, showing that there is a 
conductor analagous to the telegraph wire, on which the magnetic current is 
transmitted. This power, by the positive action of the mind and will, may be 
transmitted, irrespective of distance, to any person or place, and cures effected 
through its agency, as readily as by personal contact. Under the direction, too, 
of this volition, the spirit does its work, imparting direct healing influences 
through the mediumship of the operator. The effects are often marvellous. A 
person calls on me and says, ' I have a friend who is ill. Do all you can to save 
him.' I take his hand and say, 'Keep your mind on your friend, and I will, 
through you, give him a pleasant shock as from an electric battery, and with it 
his disease will depart.' 

" Sometimes I take a piece of cloth or garment belonging to the sick person, 
and, after magnetizing it, say, ' Take this and place it on the person of your sick 
friend, after which he will rise, walk out and be cured.' 

" When I receive a telegram, requesting treatment, I hold the paper in my 
hand, and, concentrating my mind on the person, send him the magnetic influence 
and will for the disease to depart. This I regard as the most remarkable 
feature of this department of healing, inasmuch as there is no tangible medium 
ot communication between healer and patient, and it shows in a marked manner 
the power of the spirit-forces, with whom distance is as nought. 

"I do not claim to effect a cure in all cases thus presented to me, nor are all 
cures completed in one treatment. The causes of failure, however, rest oftener 
with the patient than with myself. The power is strong with me ; I impart it to 
the patient. If he, from lack of faith or other causes, is unreceptive, the effects 
may in a measure be lost ; but if he puts himself in an attitude, mentally and 
spiritually, to receive it, physical benefit must result. 

" My system of healing by magnetized letters is the surest means of curing 
disease at a distance, as it affords an opportunity for repeated treatments. In 
my public practice this is rendered impracticable by the amount and pressure of 
business, that allows me only time to throw to each the magnetic current. In 
treating by letter, I send a magnetized letter at intervals of from ten days to two 
weeks, as the case may require, and the patient request. The length of time to 
perfect the cure depends upon the nature of the disease and the susceptibility 
of the patient to magnetic and spirit-influences. In some cases the cause is re- 
moved at once, but continued treatment is desirable to aid the system to regain 
its lost strength and vitality. In others, the cure is begun, and under the influ- 
ence that is imparted and repeated from time to time, the vitalizing and renova- 
ting process goes on, and the disease is gradually eradicated. Persons slow at 
first to effect by this power become more and more susceptible to it, and the 
most obstinate diseases yield to persistent effort." 

A few statements of cures performed by Dr. Newton at a dis- 
tance, voluntarily given by the parties cured, or from personal 
knowledge by others, are here presented to the reader : — 



HEALING AT A DISTANCE. I4I 

CASE OF MRS. GARFIELD, OF CHICAGO. 

Boston, April i6th, 1861. 
Dr. J. R. Newton : 

Dear Friend, — It may interest you to have in writing a statement of the 
wonderful case of healing a sick lady at the distance of 1,000 miles, which has 
lately occurred through your influence. On the 2d of this month, I called on you 
with a letter from a friend at Chicago, enclosing a description of a case of great 
suffering of a Mrs. Garfield there, by " convulsive fits, preceded and followed by 
intense anguish," which has for years baffled the skill of many of the most ex- 
perienced physicians. 

You spoke of the case of a lady in Virginia you had lately cured, although 
she was five hundred miles distant, and proposed to take my hands and attempt 
to restore her, although I had no other knowledge of the sufferer than was con- 
tained in the papers I then held in my hands, never having seen her. In a few 
minutes you remarked that she was cured, — that her mental and physical condi- 
tion was so much better that instant, that she would probably make some note 
of the time. I noted it j.yj p.m., April 2d. I have now a letter from Chicago 
dated 6th April, stating that on the 2d Mr. G., the husband, left home and re- 
turned the next day, when he was surprised at the improved appearance and 
apparent happiness of his wife, and found that on the 2d, a little after 7 p.m., 
Chicago time, his wife experienced a change or improvement in her mental and 
physical sensations of so marked a character as to elicit a long conversation be- 
tween herself and mother-in-law on the subject of her remarkable change, which 
caused them much surprise. 

" G. was filled with joy at finding her so cheerful and happy; says she has 
not been so well and free from pain for years as she has been since the evening 
of the 2d. That day will be long remembered by at least three grateful ones." 

It should be noted that in this case " imagination " could not be exercised on 
the part of the patient at that time, as it was not known at Chicago that you ever 
attempted affecting people at a distance. 

I have a letter dated the nth, stating, "Mrs. G. continues to improve con- 
stantly." 

Very respectfully and truly, 

EDW. L. BAKER. 

CASES AT GOUVERNEUR, N. Y. 

Gouverneur, N. Y., Nov. 1st, 1867. 
The following cases I know were cured by Dr. J. R. Newton, at the distance 
of hundreds of miles : Climena Hall, wife of Rev. B. Hall, of Gouverneur, oper- 
ated on by Dr. N. while at Newport, R. I., through her husband, who visited Dr. 
N. in the spring of 1867. 

Also his son, B. Hall, jr., who in the same manner was cured of a distressing 
disease of the kidneys, of a number of years standing. Also, Mrs. Ann Hall, of 
catarrh of long standing. 

G. SWAN, M. D. 



I4 2 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

Gouverneur, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Nov. 3d, 1867. 
Dr. J. R. Newton : 

Dear Sir, — May God bless you ! The young lady you operated on through 
me is cured. She is now 25 years of age, has been confined to her bed for nearly 
eight years. She weighed 120 lbs. when well. She is now so emaciated that she 
does not weigh over 60 ; her limbs were so contracted that she could not touch 
her feet to the floor. She felt your influence at the time you operated, and spoke 
of it to her sisters, and commenced straightening her limbs, and felt an almost 
irresistible desire to get off from her bed and walk, but did not. I saw her this 
morning and told her that she was cured, that she could walk without any as- 
sistance. She left her bed immediately, and is now walking about the house to 
the wonder, astonishment, and inexpressible joy of us all. Let God be praised 
and his glories shine forth ! G. SWAN, M. D. 

Dr. Newton : — The above statement of Dr. Swan is in all respects true. I 
was as conscious of your influence at the time you were operating on me as I ever 
was of any thing in my life, and told my sister so, though I did not know at the 
time that Dr. Swan had gone to see you. 

MARTHA L. BARNHAM. 
The above statements of Dr. Swan and my daughter, Martha L. Barnham, 
are no more wonderful than true, and if required I would be willing to testify it 
to the whole world. Dr. Swan resides at a distance of eight miles from us, and 
purposely kept from us the knowledge of his visit to you, in order, as he says, that 
he might test your power of making your influence felt at a distance. 

OS SI AN L. BARNHAM. 
P. S. — You also cured at the same time and way my daughter Ella, of catarrh, 
a disease that she has been afflicted with since childhood. 

G. SWAN, M. D. 

CASES AT GALLIPOLIS, O. 

A marked instance of this power occurred through the agency of 
Henry Viner, Esq., of Gallipolis, Ohio. He came to Dr. Newton 
at Syracuse, N. Y., bringing with him a carpet-bag full of garments 
from many persons desiring to be healed. These the Doctor took, 
and treated the owner of each separately. When this was done, 
Mr. Viner said, "I have another sick friend, a Doctor Elliott, but 
have nothing belonging to him. His case is consumption. I am 
afraid that you can do nothing for him." "Yes, I can. I can 
cure him," said Dr. N., and taking Mr. V.'s hand, he said, " I give 
him a powerful shock, and with it his disease will be instantly 
cured ; he is now walking in the street, and will be fully conscious 
of the cure. He will see a hand as plainly as I now see my own 
(outstretched), and think he has seen a vision." Some ten days 



HEALING AT A DISTANCE. I43 

after a letter was received from Mr. Viner, from which the follow- 
ing extract is made : — 

" Gallipolis, Oct. 3d, 1867. 
"My Dear Sir, — I take pleasure in informing you that I arrived home well 
and found my wife much better. She cannot express her thanks and joy for 
your kind relief. I went to seethe colored woman and found her cured. All 
the rest are cured, or much benefited. I also have seen Dr. Elliott. He saw 
the hand while walking in the street. He knew that he was cured, and thought 
it a heavenly vision. This was at the same moment that you operated on him 
through me ; and the vision and cure were noised through the town before I 
reached home. We all thank God for your power, and you for your kind effort 
to cure us, for our hopes are more than realized. 

" Respectfully yours, 

" HENRY VINER." 

CAGE AT BALLSTON SPA, N. Y. 

" Ballston Spa, Oct. 18th, 1867. 
" My Dear Sir, — The treatment of my son and daughter at a distance, last 
week, resulted like a charm. Both were cured. My son was low with inflam- 
matory rheumatism. You stated that the next day at four o'clock he would be 
cured and able to walk, which he had not done for two weeks. At that time, 
without any known cause to him, he was surprised with an instantaneous change ; 
left his bed and walked to the mill, of which' he was overseer, and has continued 
well, and up to this moment is not aware of our interview or what cured him. 

" Yours, very gratefully, 

11 E. COMSTOCK." 

CASE AT BROADHEAD, WIS. 

Dr. Newton received a letter from Mrs. Sarah Bump, of Broad- 
head, Green River Co., Wisconsin, inquiring if he was coming 
West ; stating that she had been bedridden three years, and had 
faith that if she could but touch the hem of his garment she should 
be cured. On reading the letter, he immediately cut off a piece of 
his coat and pinned it on a sheet of paper, with these words : ' ; You 
shall be cured," written upon the paper. This he magnetized and 
sent to her by mail, and received the following letter in reply : — 

" Broadhead, May 9th, 

" My Dear Sir, — Your letter was received May 3d. It brought the joyful 

news that I should be cured. It also brought the hem of the garment, and I was 

cured ; and there was such a time of rejoicing as you scarcely ever saw. The 

influence reached me before the letter, and I began to mend. The magnetism in 



144 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

the cloth completed the cure, and I am now well. The neighbors are perfectly 
astonished, and do not know what to make of it. We all send our thanks and 
best wishes, and pray that you may ever have help from on high. 

"Your friend, SARAH BUMP." 

Although a poor woman, Mrs. Bump came to Springfield, Mass., 
a distance of a thousand miles, expressly to thank the Doctor in 
person. 

CASE AT RIDGEWAY, KAN. 

{Extract from a letter to Dr. Newton.) 

" Ridgeway, Kansas, June I, 1875. 
"My Dear Sir, — Your letter of June, 1871, cured me of asthma, from which 
I have since been entirely free. 

" Yours truly, 

"HIRAM REILLY." 

In regard to the above case, Hon. James Rogers writes, from 
Burlingame, Kan., July 15th, 1878, as follows : — 

"In the message department of the Banner of Light of November 17th, 1877, 
I find a singular communication from Hiram Riley, formerly an old resident of 
Osage County. I knew him well for twenty years. From my first acquaintance 
with him he wanted to believe in Spiritualism. Up to five years before his 
decease he had been for many years an invalid, suffering with the worst form of 
periodic asthma. On application of his daughter, Dr. J. R. Newton gratuitously 
sent him a magnetized letter. It reached him during an alarming attack, in which 
he had not lain down or slept for forty-eight hours. Upon reading the letter he 
immediately fell asleep, and slept for nearly eighteen hours in his chair. When 
he awoke he was entirely cured, and so remained up to a few days before his 
death. He died of a fever about two and one-half years ago. Shortly before his 
death he told me that his being healed was ' a greater miracle than was ever per- 
formed by Jesus Christ.' ' I always doubted the truth of Spiritualism before this, 
but I know it now,' said he. His whole family and his own neighbors can testify 
to much more than I have written. They will tell : ' How he was healed we do 
not know, but that for years he was an invalid, and suffered terribly, and that he 
is now well we do know. He is of age ; he can speak for himself.' His family 
recognize the communication as genuine in every particular." 

CASE AT CLAREMONT, N. H. 

"Mrs. Hannah Chadwick, of Claremont, N. H., bedridden four months and 
apparently past help, was cured instantly by a magnetized letter, so as to resume 
her household duties in a few davs." 



HEALING AT A DISTANCE. 145 

CASE AT WALTHAM, MASS. 

" Mrs. Mary Collins' child, Waltham, Mass., had a severe attack of brain 
fever; had not rested or slept but little for three weeks, and three physicians had 
said there was no help for it. Dr. Newton sent a piece of magnetized cloth, to 
be put around the child's head, and in twenty minutes thereafter it was asleep, 
and in a day or two quite well." 

CASES AT GREENFIELD, MASS. 

" Greenfield, Mass., June 24, 1874. 
"Dr. J. R. Newton, — You saved my life three years ago, by treating me at a 
distance. You also cured my sister, Mrs. Hannah Whitaker, of a large rose 
cancer. We will ever bless you. SARAH H. PUTNAM." 

CASE AT ST. LOUIS, MO. 
(From the Banner of Light.) 

Mrs. Nancy T. Acks, of St. Louis, Mo., sends us the following account of two 
remarkable cures that have been performed on her by Dr. J. R. Newton. These, 
she says, are known to and can be corroborated by " hundreds of respectable 
citizens in that vicinity." Here is her statement : 

" Messrs. Editors : — I feel it my duty to write you of a cure performed on me 
in the ' Home of the Friendless ' for widows. I am sixty years old ; have been 
an inmate here seven years. I came to this Home bent over with rheumatism. 
Up to Dec, 1866, I was never free from pain. I then took a slight cold, hoarse- 
ness and loss of voice followed, and finally a partial paralysis of the vocal organs 
and heart disease set in. The family physician exerted himself to restore me, and 
finally pronounced me liable to fall dead at any moment. I continued to grow 
worse ; a noise would cause me to drop insensible. I consulted other physicians, 
tried the battery and magnetic doctors, and received no permanent benefit until 
December, 1867, when a relative of Dr. Newton (and my friend) reported my 
disease to him. While visiting in St. Louis a few hours, he called forme at this 
Home, and told me he had come to restore my voice. In two minutes I could 
talk aloud ; I left the matron whispering and scarce alive, and returned to her in 
less time than I can write you, erect, animated, talking. The change was so 
great she exclaimed, ' Who are you ? I don't know you ! ' (This matron came 
here after I lost my voice. I was nearly one year whispering.) I enjoyed more 
perfect health than I had for many years until April, 1870, when I took another 
cold from exposure, and lost my voice as before ; used all kinds of remedies, and 
gradually grew worse ; my nervous system a wreck ; my head continually shaking. 
I wrote to Dr. Newton [in Boston] for advice. He sent me a magnetic current 
in the letter, and told me after I read it I could talk aloud. I received the letter 
on the 16th, at 11 o'clock. I had no faith it would help me j I read it often until 

10 



I46 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

four o'clock, and was studying over how I could go to the Doctor, when a friend 
came in and I answered her question aloud. There was a second time joy in 
the Home, with many congratulations and caresses, for our family numbers forty. 
I, the happiest of them all, have whispered seven months. My burden is taken 
away ; I feel a new person ; walk erect, and talk again. Thanks ! thanks ! to Dr. 
J. R. Newton and the angels that minister unto him and the afflicted ! " 

CASE AT MT. WASHINGTON, KY. 
(From the same.) 

An Astonishing Cure. — I am a German, not sufficiently acquainted with 
the English language to write it correctly, but, nevertheless, I consider myself 
bound to give an account of the most wonderful cure of my wife, Mrs. Elizabeth 
Wedding, through Dr. J. R. Newton [then in Boston, Mass.], for the benefit of 
the suffering and afflicted in general. 

Thirteen years ago, my wife had the misfortune to fall, and ever since that 
time she has been afflicted with spasms of a most dangerous and painful character. 
I employed a number of doctors in Cincinnati and Louisville, but none were able 
to cure her. They could relieve her somewhat of the pains, and even stop the 
spasms momentarily, but they could not stop them entirely. Since the last five 
months she has had those horrible spasms more violent and oftener than ever. 

The week after last Christmas she was so low that I, all our friends, and even 
the doctor had given up all hope. 

At this time our kind friend, Prof. C. Kropp, read in the Banner of Light Dr. 
J. R. Newton's astonishing cure of Mrs. Acks, in St Louis, Mo., and he at once 
concluded to write to the Doctor for advice, and asked if he would undertake to 
cure her. To secure an answer he enclosed $2.00. He received the answer 
promptly, in which he was directed to go and read the letter to the afflicted lady, 
and to use the Doctor's own words in his letter: "And after reading it to her 
she will say, ' Let God be praised, for I believe I am cured ! ' and she is cured." 
The letter was read to my wife — I must confess with very little confidence on our 
side — but she did say : " Let God be praised, for I believe I am cured ! " and she 
was cured from that very minute. Her pains left her, her appetite aroused, her 
strength grew daily, and her appearance is now that of a healthy person. It is 
now three weeks since the letter was received and the amazing change took place. 
She has had neither spasms or pains ; while before she had the spasms even- day, 
and the pains never left her. This fact gives us hope, and we trust in God that 
this dreadful disease is at last thoroughly cured, and will never return. 

Who knows of a cure like this one, since the time that Jesus said to the 
Centurion of Capernaum, as stated in St. Matthew, viii : 13 : "Go thy way : and 
as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed the 
self-same hour ? " 

Thousands of thanks to Dr. J. R. Newton, who has given back to me, through 
the aid of God and the holy angels, a dearly beloved wife, and to my five children 
a good and kind mother. We all pray to God to increase Dr. N.'s wonderful 



HEALING AT A DISTANCE. 147 

power of healing, and grant him a long and happy life, for the benefit of the 
poor and the suffering. 

N.B. — The money sent by Prof. Kropp was returned by the Doctor as a pres- 
ent for my wife. May God reward him. J. H. WEDDING. 

Mount Washington, Ky., [1870]. 

CASE AT KENDALL'S MILLS, ME. 

(From the Banner of Light.} 

I find that Dr. J. R. Newton has left his mark in almost every town and city, in 
the way of remarkable cures. It is gratifying to find these landmarks on the way, 
and that they are household words. I found several such cases in Bangor, 
Waterville and Augusta. There is one of such striking character at Kendall's 
Mills, which never has been printed, that I think it should be placed on record, 
as I doubt if even Dr. Newton himself is knowing to it. I will give it as I re- 
ceived it from J. F. Nye, Esq., a Methodist in belief, and sheriff of the county, 
and perfectly reliable, and corroborated by others. A young lady injured her 
fingers so badly that for three years they were drawn up in position as they would 
be when the hand is shut. Some one suggested to her that she had better send 
a lock of her hair to Dr. Newton and see what he could do for her at a distance ; 
but she decided to send her ring which she had worn. Soon afterwards, while 
she was about the house, her fingers commenced to straighten, and in a short 
time became natural, and remained so. She was frightened when they com- 
menced to straighten, as she had forgotten that she had sent the ring to the 
Doctor, but her friends suggested that it was the effect of his subtle magnetic in- 
fluence at work, which proved to be the case. I give you this case as proof of 
healing at a distance. Dr. A. S. HAYWARD. 

CASE AT SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH. 

(From Salt Lake Tribune, Oct., 1872.) 

Dr. Newton. — Yesterday afternoon Dr. Newton manipulated about 100 per- 
sons afflicted with various diseases, many of whom testified to having received 
relief. One case especially is worthy of mention ; it was that of a man who had 
been prostrated for the past 48 hours with excruciating pains in the head. Not 
being able to come in person he sent an article of linen by another man. The Doc- 
tor took both the linen and the hand of the person who brought it together between 
his two hands, first telling the party referred to that his friend would feel a mag- 
netic shock as soon as he should give it, and by that means he would be instantly 
healed. Pulling out his watch he noted the time and informed the proxy man 
accordingly; then gave the "shock," telling the party at the same time to go 
immediately to the sick person and ascertain the facts, and return and relate them 
for the benefit of the audience present. The man retired, and in about half an 
hour returned to thank the Doctor in the name of his friend, stating that the cure 



I48 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

was effected as described by Dr. Newton beforehand. Several cases of acute 
pain and deafness were successfully treated, according to the testimony of the 
patients. 

CASE AT SWANSEA, MASS. 
(From the Providence Morning Herald.) 

Editors of the Morning Herald :— Allow me to state for the benefit of 
the public the result of a case of healing at a distance, undertaken by Dr. 
Newton, at Remington Hall, Sunday. May 10. Having operated upon many in 
the hall, he said he would heal at a distance, if any person present had friends 
whom they desired to have relieved. Among those who came forward was 
Mrs. Joseph Simmons, saying that she had a sister in Swansea very sick, whom 
she wished might be healed. Dr. Newton took her hands and said he would 
send a shock to the lady in Swansea, and declared that she would be benefited at 
once. The distance was twelve miles. The time between eleven and twelve 
o'clock. 

Last evening I saw Mr. Simmons, who told me that on the afternoon of the 
10th, he and Mrs. Simmons went to Swansea to see the sister, Mrs. Ruth Eddy, 
who had been operated upon in the forenoon from Remington Hall ; they found 
her very much better. She said she began to feel better towards noon, and 
wished to get up, but did not. Mrs. Simmons then said to her, " Come, get up 
now." The lady replied that she did not think she could, but soon made the 
effort, rose, dressed herself, and walked around the room, with a little assistance, 
declaring that she felt better. She remained up more than three hours, sat at 
the table and took tea with Mr. and Mrs. Simmons, and has been quite comfort- 
able about the house every day since, and yesterday rode out. Previous to the 
10th she had not sat up for three months, only to have her bed made, and this 
with difficulty. It may be well to state that on the evening of the 9th, Saturday, 
Mrs. Simmons received word that her sister was failing, and probably could live 
only a short time. 

Such are the facts in this case which, at the time, attracted great attention, 
and about which many the past week have interrogated me. To satisfy the many 
who have desired to know what might be the result, will you have the kindness 
to publish this communication. WILLIAM FOSTER, Jr. 

CASE AT BUNKER HILL, ILL. 

Mary E. Drummond, of Bunker Hill, 111., applied by letter, 
through Mr. J. R. Monroe of that place, to Dr. Newton for aid, 
after her case was considered hopeless by other physicians. Dr. 
N. sent her a magnetized letter — with what effect her own state- 
ment will show. She says, in a letter published in the Banner of 
Light : — 



HEALING AT A DISTANCE. I49 

" I had been sick two years and two months before I heard of Dr. Newton. 
Was first taken with typhoid fever and inflammatory rheumatism. Two doctors 
called my disease typhoid, and one a slow fever — two doctors said the bone of my 
leg was not affected ; one said it was, and a piece of the bone was taken out by 
a surgeon. My leg was getting along nicely, but I could not walk without a crutch, 
and was crooked, could not straighten up, and had severe attacks of pain in my 
left arm, and had to sit night and day in a chair. For months I could not raise 
my hand to my head ; my spine was crooked, and is now straight, and in three 
days after I received Dr. Newton's letter I could walk about and had no more 
pain. Many thanks to Dr. Newton and Mr. Monroe, who wrote for me and got 
the Doctor interested." 



CASE AT GARDINER, ME. 

Frank Plaisted, of Gardiner, Maine, telegraphed to Dr. Newton in Boston, 
" Baby is sick — do what you can to save him." On receipt of the telegram, the 
Doctor operated at once on the child, and wrote by post : " I this instant, 7.45 
p.m., throw a shock to your child. He will open his eyes, smile, and be cured." 
A letter written the same evening, stated : " Baby is cured. He suddenly 
began to perspire, soon opened his eyes, smiled on us, and is, I feel, entirely 
cured. He had lain in an unconscious state twenty-four hours, and we had but 
the smallest hope of his recovery." 

The following was narrated by Dr. Newton in a letter to a 
friend, dated Nov. 2, 1869 : — 



CASE IN FULTON, N. Y. 

" While healing in Syracuse, New York, a stranger asked me if I would go to 
Fulton and cure his wife, who had been sick for years, and unable to sit up for 
six months. I told him that I could cure her without seeing her, as well as to go 
there ; and taking his right hand, I said, ' Keep your thought upon your wife ; I 
will give her a shock like an electric battery, and with it her disease will instantly 
leave ; she will arise perfectly well, dress herself, call a witness, and note the 
precise time, then walk out of doors. When you arrive home, she will meet you 
at the door, and say, "Nathan, I am well." That is your name.' 'Yes,' said 
he, ' my name is Nathan Rowlee.' I had never seen him but a few moments, 
and never heard his name before I called it. This was on Tuesday. I lectured 
in Oswego the next Sunday, when Mrs. Rowlee appeared in the audience, and 
came upon the platform, and related the wonder of her cure ; said she had never 
heard of healing at a distance before ; that she received a powerful shock, and 
felt she was cured ; she arose, noted the day and hour, and called a woman to 
witness what appeared to her a miracle. The cure took place precisely at the 
same time that I eliminated the influence through her husband, and every word 



150 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

that was torn him was verified by her. She came eleven miles to make a public 
statement of the facts, unsolicited." * 

The following from Prof. S. P. Cheney, of Sacramento, Cal., was 
addressed to the editor of this volume : — 



CASE AT DORSET, VT. 

Sacramento, California, Aug. 13, 1875. 

A. E. Newton, Esq. : — I send you the following for publication : 

On the 10th of Sept., 187 1 (at Dorset, Vt.), I was taken with a most severe 
sickness, occasioned by over-work at farming. I was prostrated, and endured 
great suffering for many months. 

About New Year's, I could hold a pencil and write a few words at a time ; 
and in that way I wrote a letter to Dr. A. B. Child, of Boston, where Dr. Newton 
then was, giving him some account of my case, and asking him if he would ad- 
vise me to go to see Dr. Newton, in case I should ever be able to ride so far. 
He wrote me in about these words : " Helen and I have held a prayer-meeting 
over your case, and advise you to remain at home. You can as well be helped 
there as here. But tell me more about yourself." I wrote again, giving some 
particulars, which took me, I think, three days. 

That letter he took to Dr. Newton and read it to him. They then agreed 
that I could and must be helped. Dr. Newton wrote on a large card, " Mr. S- 
P. Cheney, Dear Sir, God and angels bless you, and you are healed from this 
hour. Boston, Tuesday evening, half-past seven, Jan. 7, 1871. J. R. Newton." 

At the very hour these good men were in this consultation in Boston, as 
was proved two days after by their letters, I was walking in my dining-room in 
Dorset, Vt., feeling that I never could smile again on earth ; there came over me 

* The editor has received the following corroborative letter from Mr. Rowlee, relative to this 

remarkable case: — 

" Fulton, N. Y., Dec. 20, 1875. 

" A. E. Newton, Sir : — The statement of my wife's sickness and cure which has come under 
your observation, is for the most part true. An error was made in stating that she was bedridden. 
She had been sick for years, unable to do her work, and for six months before her cure had been 
confined to her bed. I went to Syracuse, hoping to get the Doctor to come and see her at my 
house ; but he rendered that unnecessary by curing her then and there. He said to me, ' Your 
wife says, " I am being cured by Dr. Newton, through Nathan." ' I was surprised to hear him 
call my name, and I said, 'Everybody calls me Nate.' He replied, 'Your wife doesn't,' 
which was very true. 

" At the same time my wife was lying on her couch, and said, looking up at her attendant, ' Lina, 
I am being cured by Dr. Newton, through Nathan. What time is it ? ' and soon arose and walked 
into the dining-room. This was on either Wednesday or Thursday ; and the next Sunday she 
rode with me in a buggy to Oswego, a distance of eleven miles. This occurred in the year 1867. 
She has been as well ever since as one can be, except when she does two days' work in one : 
then, of course, she has to pay the penalty which Nature has demanded for all infringements of her 
] aws . Respectfully yours, 

" N. Rowlee." 



HEALING AT A DISTANCE. 151 

a most sudden, wonderful and pleasing sensation, which gave me this distinct 
thought, — " I shall get well!' 1 '' I stood for a moment, then turned about and 
spoke to my sister-in-law, saying, "I have not felt so much like getting well since 
I was taken sick as I do at this moment." " What makes you say so ? " she in- 
quired. " Because I feel so," was my reply. 

And that night, my right wrist that was badly swollen and a hideous-looking 
thing, and had been so for more than three months, all the while very painful — 
and which had withstood constant applications of many kinds — was relieved ; and 
in the morning the swelling was gone, and it came no more. I " thanked God 
and took courage," and the next day, when I got the letter, I thanked Dr. Child 
and Dr. Newton, and thanked God again ; and as the angels were said to have 
taken a part in the work, I thanked them too. 

At this moment I think I am grateful to the very bottom of my heart for this 
wonderful experience in my body and in my soul. 

Yours for the truth, wherever and in whomsoever it may be found. 

SIMON P. CHENEY. 



The following appeared recently in the Banner of Light : — 



CASE AT FONTANA, KAN. 

To the Editor of the " Banner of Light" : 

For the sake of humanity be pleased to insert in your valuable paper the fol- 
lowing wonderful cure made through the means of magnetized letters by Dr. J, 
R. Newton, of California. 

I had what is called a slow ulcer on my ankle for three years, and had four dif- 
ferent doctors to attend it ; no cure or relief ; varicose veins on my leg for many 
years, and at times would be very large ; also the gout in both great toes, which 
I have been subject to for the last sixteen years. The gout I consider the worst 
of all diseases the human frame is subject to. My father was a martyr to it for 
some forty-five years. Some months ago I wrote to Dr. J. R. Newton, of Cali- 
fornia, stating my age and disease. I received a magnetized letter in about ten 
days — no medicine. I was cured in a few weeks of the ulcer, varicose veins, and 
— what the medical faculty of Europe cannot do — of the " gout," so that I can 
walk two or three miles from home. Sufferers from the gout, lose no time in 
sending to Dr. J. R. Newton for relief. 

THOMAS RUDDERFORTH. 

Fontana, Miami Co., Kan., Oct. 21st, 1875. 

P. S. — I am well known as a resident of this place for the last five years ; also 
my long illness is known to the public. Since my cure I have been called upon 
to write to Dr. J. R. Newton by at least a dozen persons. T. R. 



152 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

CASE AT PEN YAN, N. Y. 

Pen Yan, Oct. 6, 1875. 
Dr. J. R. Newton, My Dear Sir : — Ten thousand thanks for what you have 
done for me ! I am cured of my nervous difficulty. 

Yours truly, &c, 

P. S. OLIVER. 

CASE AT LA CONNER, W. T. 

David Culver, of La Conner, Washington Ter., writes to the Banner of 
Light that he was almost entirely cured of blindness by letter, at a distance, by 
Dr. Newton. 

The following voluntary testimonials appeared in the Banner 
of Light , in Jan., 1876 : — 

CASE AT SEVILLE, OHIO. 

Mrs. E. A. Young writes : Allow me to add my testimony to the efficacy of 
Dr. J. R. Newton's healing power, imparted through a magnetized letter. Four 
years ago, when in Cleveland, I called to see Dr. Newton, and he told me to be 
very careful or I would have an attack of paralysis. When I returned home I 
told my family physician what he had said, and he sneered at it; but some time 
afterward, when the attack came, he said it was an affection of the spine brought 
on by overwork. I told him that could not be, for I was paralyzed in my right 
arm and all down my right side. I dismissed him, and communicated with Dr. 
J. R. Newton, who immediately sent me a magnetized letter, and I was cured in 
a very short time. This was six months ago, and I am still well, and have the 
free use of my limbs. Cannot other sufferers be helped likewise ? 

CASES AT BROOKLYN, N. Y. 

To the Editor of the "Banner of Light" : 

While reading the Banner of Light of July 13, I noticed an article concern- 
ing Dr. J. R. Newton, the Healer, of Yonkers, N. Y. And I feel that I would 
like to add my testimony to the long list of persons who have been benefited by 
his treatment, hoping to encourage some poor sufferer to make the trial that I 
did. After a long and painful illness, and after many previous discouraging 
trials and failures with other physicians, I concluded to write to Dr. Newton, 
describing my disease — which was perhaps the worst case of lameness on record 
— caused by cancerous affections of the right foot, limb, arm and wrist, with the 
most excruciating pains in the bones and all through the body, nodes gathering 
and breaking, indurated ulcers three and a half to four inches, &c. — preventing 
sleep for weeks. I was perfectly helpless, and when I could walk at all was 
obliged to use crutches. I had been a great sufferer for four years. 
After receiving two magnetized letters from the Doctor, I was enabled to go 



HEALING AT A DISTANCE. 153 

about considerably at ease, to sleep and eat well ; and ere three months had passed 
I was enjoying myself, travelling with ease ; and I feel that I can now safely 
say that I am well, quite well. It is impossible for me to describe what a sufferer 
I was, and the benefit and relief I have experienced through his treatment, and 
wholly at a distance from Dr. Newton and not having seen him. Words fail to 
express the gratitude and unbounded pleasure I feel. I send this hoping that 
you will be pleased to allow it space in your columns, and oblige 

Yours truly, MRS. CORDELIA R. RAY. 

13 Stuyvesant avenue. 
Brooklyn, August 3, 1878. 

Brooklyn, N. Y, April 19, 1877. 
Dr. J. R. Newton — Dear Sir: It becomes my pleasant duty to write you 
in behalf of the mother of the little girl whom you have recently cured by 
magnetized letter. A year since, the child had measles and whooping cough, 
which seemed to develope scrofula, — showing itself in all parts of the body, par- 
ticularly the eyes, which swelled and discharged frightfully, and for nine months 
she did not see the light. Your letter was thankfully received, and faithfully 
applied; and the swelling at once abated, the discharges grew less, the next 
morning the eyes partially opened, and the happy mother saw, for the first time 
in months, the ball of the eye, which she thought must be destroyed. The child 
was soon running about the house, instead of groping her way blindly about, or 
sitting in her little chair, where she has been most of the winter. The scrofu- 
lous scores that so long covered her body are all healed. There is great joy in 
the household. Will you accept their heartfelt thanks, and unceasing prayers 
that Heaven's richest blessings may attend you ? A life filled with such acts of 
benevolence must indeed be worth living. 

Yours with great respect. 

MARY A. SAWYER. 

CASE AT GUILFORD, N. H. 

To the Editor of the " Banner of Light " : 

While at Lake Village, I had related to me a wonderful cure performed by 
Dr. J. R. Newton, the Healer, last winter, in Guilford, N. H. Mr. William L. 
Johnson, a member of the Freewill Baptist Church, a highly respected man in the 
community, related the facts to me as follows : His daughter was taken sick soon 
after the death of her sister. Previous to the death of her sister she was a very 
lively and intelligent girl ; but after this affliction she became sober, " moped " 
around the house, and gradually passed into what the physicians pronounced hope- 
less insanity. Doctors tried their remedies and ministers prayed, but all in vain. 
Under the influence of this kind of treatment she grew worse. Mr. Johnson was 
talking with Mr. Cook one day about the sad condition of his daughter. Mr. 
Cook advised him to write to Dr. J. R. Newton. He followed Mr. Cook's 
advice; and one day, some time after he had written, his daughter fell into a 
sound sleep, and when she awoke she was cured. A few days after this Dr. 
Newton's letter arrived, stating that upon a certain day she would be healed, 



154 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

which corresponded with the day upon which she fell asleep and awoke in perfect 
health. I asked Mr. Johnson if he thought the devil performed this cure, and he 
replied, " I know not by what power it was done. I only know that my daughter 
was sick, but now is healed. If the devil performed the cure, all I can say is : 
I am very much obliged to him.* 1 

GEORGE A. FULLER, 

Secretary of the N. H. State Association of Spiritualists, 

Bradford, N. H. 

CASE AT EAST CONCORD, VT. 

East Concord, Vt., October 3, 1877. 
Dr. J. R. Newton — Dear Sir : My wife was cured of spasms by you, while 
you was at Old Orchard Beach, last summer. 

Yours, very truly, HORACE RUSSELL. 



THE HEALER " IN HIS OWN COUNTRY." 1 55 



CHAPTER XII. 

THE HEALER " IN HIS OWN COUNTRY." 

Dr. Newton in Newport and Providence, R. I. — The ancient proverb at fault. — Testimony 
of the Newport Daily News. — Discussion in the Mercury. — Remarkable cures at 
hand and at a distance. — Public healing in Providence. — Testimonies of the local 
press, and of eye-witnesses. — Dr. Newton in Salem, Mass. — List of cures. — In Chelsea, 
Mass. — Lectures and heals in public. — In Portland, Me. 

In 1866-7, an d again in 1869-70, Dr. Newton visited his native 
city of Newport, R. I., and offered his services as Healer. He 
also, on these occasions, extended his practice to the neighboring 
city of Providence and elsewhere. The ancient proverb, that " a 
prophet is without honor in his own country," seems not to have 
been fully justified in this case, judging from the testimonies we 
have to present — although, as will be seen, there were not wanting 
those who doubted and reviled. 

The Newport Daily News, of November — , 1866, published the 
following article : — 

"WHAT THINK YE?" 

"Our people have been greatly astonished on the arrival of the cars to see, for 
the past few days, crowds of persons, surpassing in number the visitors of sum- 
mer, who have appeared in the streets. These throngs are daily on the increase, 
and are now attracting marked attention. They are wending their way to the 
rooms of Dr. James R. Newton, whose fame as a healer of diseases without the 
use of medicine appears to have reached the remotest part of the land. They 
come, the lame, the halt, the blind, the deaf, and the subjects of nearly every 
other ill that flesh his heir to. The streets are literally crowded, and if this state 
of things continue, our city will soon be a Bethesda equal to that described in 
ancient times. 

" Yesterday more than six hundred of this sort arrived on a single train of cars, 
and others were left at different stations for want of room. Many of these were 
invalids, while others were their attendants and friends. For an hour Thames 
street presented a lively spectacle as this multitude, some on crutches, some with 
canes, some in express wagons, some in hacks, and some in omnibusses, wended 



I56 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

their way to the infirmary of the famed physician. The Doctor formerly received 
his guests at his private residence, but this is now simply impossible. He has ac- 
cordingly leased a large mansion near the Perry Mill, which was filled to overflow- 
ing. When these arrived many were unable to gain admission because of the 
press, and were obliged to seek accommodations elsewhere. For a long time the 
yard in front of the house was literally packed with human beings, all eager to 
hear the words which should pronounce them well. 

" Of the matter of treatment we have nothing to say, for the simple reason that 
we have no knowledge of it. It would seem that some at least of the reports of 
wonderful cures must be true, or so many would not be influenced to come here. 
Concerning these facts we may have something to say hereafter, when we have 
more definite knowledge of them. As it is, we simply record what is taking 
place, leaving others to philosophize on the theme." 

A Providence correspondent of the Banner of Light writes to 
that paper, under date of November 18, 1866, as follows : — 

Dr. Newton returned to Newport last week, and procured a large house for 
an infirmary, and during the week was busily engaged in healing. The sick and 
lame came by hundreds ; and Wednesday, I think, six hundred and seventy were 
landed by a single train, leaving hundreds at stations by the way who were un- 
able to find room in the cars. A gentleman who was in Newport at the time, 
said he saw people who went into the Doctor's rooms on crutches come away with- 
out them, and run down Thames street with youthful agility. 

About this time, the following appeal " To the Clergy and Pro- 
fessors of the Christian Religion of the City of Newport," appeared 
in the Mercury of that city, over the name of a well known citizen 
of the vicinity : — 

FAITH PROVED BY WORKS. 

" To the Clergy and Professors of the Christian Religion of the 
City of Newport : — 

" I learn that the far-famed Dr. Newton is healing multitudes of their sick- 
nesses and infirmities in Newport, through, as he asserts, the power of the spirit 
and the laying on of hands, as was done in the Apostolic days. I also under- 
stand that the Doctor professes to have a living faith in the doctrines taught by 
Jesus of Nazareth, and asserts that the great and beneficent work he is performing 
is simply an exemplification of the truth of the memorable promise made by the 
divinely inspired Master to his disciples, after partaking of the last supper, in 
the following words : — 

"' I say to you, he that believeth in me, the works that I do, he also shall do, 
and greater than these shall he do.' — John xiv. : 12 — [Douay version]. 

" Now unless there is some radical mistake in the translation of this passage, its 



THE HEALER " IN HIS OWN COUNTRY. 1 57 

meaning seems too plain to be misapprehended. It follows, that as Jesus healed 
the sick by the power of the spirit, and the laying on of hands, so must every 
true believer in him be able to do the same, and even more than he did. Now 
Dr. Newton asserts that he believes in the teachings and divine mission of 
Jesus ; and the truth of his declaration seems proved by the fact that in accord- 
ance with what Jesus himself promised, he is enabled to perform the works that 
were made the only test of true belief. 

" As I am totally unacquainted with either Latin, Greek or Hebrew, will some 
Doctor of Divinity, or other person learned in biblical languages, be so kind as 
to inform the readers of the Mercury whether or not there is any mistake in the 
translation of the passage of Scripture I have quoted ; and if there is not, will he 
also be so good as to say who, in his opinion, are the true disciples of Jesus of 
Nazareth at the present day — those who assert their belief with the lips, but do 
not prove the truth of their assertion by performing the works that were made a 
test of belief ; or those who, like the Doctor, assert the same belief with their 
lips, and do perform the works that were made the test of belief by Jesus himself ? 
" Respectfully, THOMAS R. HAZARD." 

This appeal was copied in the Boston Banner of Light, with the 
following appropriate comments : — 

" We are heartily glad to see the above article, from a writer who so fully 
appreciates the matter, published in a journal like the Newport Mercury. The 
fact is, the time has long gone by when these • works ' can be ignored or written 
down. There they are, uttering their own irrefragable testimony. We do not 
remember * * * * to have seen any serious attempt to bring these cures of Dr. 
Newton into disrepute. They are too palpable to be denied, and it is no- 
torious that this is not the mode of attack which the enemies of the cause dare 
undertake. They know it will not do for them to oppose what people can see 
for themselves to be true. Hence they let Dr. Newton's cures and healing pass» 
and fall upon matters which they do not understand themselves, and which allow 
a certain margin for mystery. There is a good deal to be said concerning this 
magnetic system of healing, as practiced by Dr. Newton, and particularly from 
the side of Faith. But for his faith, we undertake to say that he would be 
deficient in such works as now publish his name to all parts of the country. 
If we read the Scriptures as the creedists insist they must be read, we arrive at 
precisely the same conclusions that are reached by Mr. Hazard. He believes 
in 'works,' such as Jesus promised his disciples they could perform if they only 
had faith. Then if a person cultivates and strengthens his faith, he can do even 
greater things than were ever done before. That is Dr. Newton's case. He 
does what he once probably never thought it would be in his power to do. 
Why? Chiefly because of his faith. If this is not so, then we will thank any 
Orthodox minister, who makes the slightest claim to scholarship, to tell us what 
the text quoted means, or can mean. Certainly it was put there for a purpose. 
If Dr. Newton has missed its signification, then who will tell us what it really is ? 

" The wonderful cures of this renowned healer are bringing to him multitudes 



I58 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

who thus hear the word and see the work of the spirit gladly. Here are evidences 
which bigotry cannot set aside. We have it on good authority, that not much more 
than a week ago the old Colony Railroad management had to put on four extra 
cars to accommodate the multitude of blind, lame, and halt persons who went to 
Newport to be healed at the Doctor's hands. The large house he occupies is 
crowded with those who come, having faith in his power to heal them. The press 
is oftentimes so great as to render it impossible to work your way into the room 
where he is. The intelligent portion of Newport now concede the power over 
disease which he manifestly possesses." 

The appeal of Mr. Hazard appears to have brought out a brief 
response, the nature of which may be gathered from a second 
article by him, in the same journal, of date Dec. 15, 1866. This 
we reproduce nearly in full, both for the additional facts it presents 
and the cogent arguments it introduces : — 

TO THE CLERGY AND PROFESSORS OF THE CHRISTIAN RE- 
LIGION OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT. 

In the Mercury of the 1st of December, X. Y. Z. tacitly admits the correct- 
ness of the translation of the passage I quote from John xiv. 12, Douay version, 
which is as follows : — " I say unto you he that believeth in me, the works that I 
do, he also shall do, and greater than these shall he do," and then goes on in true 
Yankee style to answer my question by asking another. 

"I would inquire (says X. Y. Z.) if Doctor Newton has raised any person 
from the dead, as in the case of Lazarus ? " 

If X. Y. Z. means the body of a person after it has been entirely separated 
from the spirit, I answer that I feel sure that the Doctor never has raised such 
a body from the dead. 

Now that I have replied unequivocally to X. Y. Z.'s query, will he do me the 
favor to answer the question I proposed with equal distinctness, viz : " Who are 
the true disciples of Jesus of Nazareth in the present day, those who assert their 
belief with their lips but do not perform the works that Jesus made a test of belief, 
or those who, like Dr. Newton, assert the same belief and do perform the works." 

With X. Y. Z.'s leave, I will here introduce a few comparisons in connection 
with some of the Doctor's cures, and the fundamental principles upon which he 
relies to accomplish them. 

In some remarks made at Dodworth's Hall, in New York, last May, Dr. 
Newton distinctly asserted that the fundamental principles that lay at the founda- 
tion of his healing power, were " the same that Christ taught" and that the practice 
of curing diseases, &c, by laying on of hands, was not only performed in " Christ's 
time," but for three or four hundred years after his crucifixion- " I hold (said he) 
that the purer the life, the better the healer will be. I believe I am controlled by 
guardian and controlling spirits, and that they possess the power to heal through 
me. And just as I live in principle and truth, by just such powers shall I be 



THE HEALER " IN HIS OWN COUNTRY." 1 59 

r 

controlled; the better life I live,, day after day, the better the angels from the 
celestial spheres can come and operate to heal the sick. And if we live a de- 
based or low life, low or unprogressed spirits only can control us." 

This seems to me to be not a bad Christian confession. 

I will now compare a few of the Doctor's cures with some of those recorded 
fin the New Testament, that X. Y. Z. and other readers may judge of their com- 
parative merit. For some years past the Doctor has gone forth on many missions 
of healing, and whoever has paid attention to the subject may have read in the 
various secular papers of the hundreds and thousands that have daily flocked to 
him in the different cities he has visited, including Boston, Portland, New York, 
Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Chicago, Syracuse, Rochester, and many others. He 
has doubtlessly operated on many hundreds of thousands ; and he estimates that 
his cures will amount to more than one hundred and fifty thousand. So numerous 
are the remarkable cures that have been authenticated by oath, affirmation and 
certificate, that I doubt whether they could be all published in twelve months by 
the weekly devotion of a whole side of the Mercury to the object. 

It is related in the 8th chap, of Matthew, that whilst Jesus was at Capernaum 
there came to him a centurion, who besought him to heal his servant of the palsy 
(paralysis), and that upon Jesus saying that he would come and heal him, the 
centurion objected that his house was not worthy to receive him, and in great 
faith begged that he would " but speak the word only and my servant shall be 
healed." 

Jesus, after remarking on the centurion's great faith, said to him, " Go thy 
way; and as thou hast believed so be it done unto thee. And his servant was 
healed in the same hour." 

The following (which I copy from an autograph letter) speaks for itself : — 

CuLPErER Co., Virginia, March 20, 1861. 
Mr. Uran : — My daughter's case is certainly one of the most remarkable I 
have ever known or heard of since the days of the apostles of old. A chronic 
affection of three years' standing. After explaining her case to Dr. Newton (in 
Boston), I asked him if he could render her any service. He said, "Yes,/ 
can cure her, and will not put you to the trouble and expense of bringing her here. 
I will do it now." He used me as a medium of communication, and in about ten 
minutes he said to me, "Your daughter is well ; take out your watch and make 
a note of the time." I did so. — It was 12 m., of Wednesday, 6th March, 1861. 
On that day, while my daughter was at dinner at home, in Culpeper Co., Vir- 
ginia, over 500 miles distant, between 12 and 1 o'clock, she remarked to her 
mother, " Ma, I feel so much better ! I feel well ; I am well," and well she cer- 
tainly is, and as hale and hearty as I have ever known her. 

Respectfully, 

WM. P. ELISASON. 

An autograph letter to Dr. J. R. Newton, which I now hold in my hand, dated 
Danbury, Conn., May 18th, 1866, states that the writer of the letter, Isaiah Nutt, 
called on the Doctor with a lock of his son's hair, who had been kicked on the 



l60 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

nth inst., on the head, by a horse. The boy "could not hold his head up, but it 
leaned over back as if his neck was out of joint." The Doctor placed the lock 
of hair on Mr. Nutt's hand and held it with his and said : " The child is healed 
from this moment." " On arriving home I found," continues Mr. N., " that the child 
was at the time asleep, and on waking carried his head erect, verifying your 
words." 

I also have before me a letter from Edward L. Baker, Esq., who is well known 
in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, dated Boston, April 16th, 1861. 

[As this letter is given in full in the preceding chapter it is omitted here — Ed.] 

This seems a remarkable case, as the letter which Mr. B. held in his hand 
must have been the only exceedingly attenuated thread or medium of communi- 
cation with the patient, then a thousand miles away. It would seem as if thought 
was to the spiritual what the voice is to the physical man. Either can be felt or 
heard as far as they can be thrown, and both carry with them a magnetic influence. 
How, none but God can understand, neither can any but He know how the electric 
current passes through the telegraph wire. 

The Doctor holds that there is a latent magnetic life that can be developed, 
and made to perform the same works that he does, in all who live in conformity 
to the real teachings of Jesus and the Christ principle. 

In making cures at a distance through the medium of locks of hair or some 
article impregnated with the magnetism of the diseased person, the Doctor says 
it is indispensible that there should be faith on one side or the other, and that in 
willing the cure he "feels and eliminates a shock just as much and as powerful 
as that from a galvanic battery; " as for instance, recently, Charles Schroeder, of 
New Brunswick, in New Jersey, brought to the Doctor a coat of his little boy, 
aged 12, then suffering with an ossified spine and stiff neck. — The child was in. 
stantly cured and felt the shock in New Jersey, at the same instant that the Dr. 
willed him cured in New York. 

At the same time and place Anne Cook, sick and bedridden three months, by 
the Doctor's will-power exerted through an article of dress, felt the shock and rose 
instantly to her feet, well and whole. 

The Doctor generally receives pay from the rich and gives of the same to his 
poor patients, but in cases of healing by touch of garment, locks of hair, &c, he 
takes pay from no one. * * * The expressions the Doctor uses in these will 
power healings have a very scriptural sound and significance, for instance : 

Mrs. Samuel Hopper, of Columbus, Ohio, brought the garment of her child to 
the Doctor in New York, that was then lying at home with water on the brain, 
unconscious and paralyzed. He took the garment and said, like one having 
authority, " Go home, woman, your child is well." She went home and found her 
child well, and afterwards brought it to the Doctor's rooms in health. 

It is related in 9th chap. Matthew, that "they brought to Jesus a man sick of 
the palsy, lying on a bed." Jesus seeing their faith, after some preliminary 
discourse said " to the sick of the palsy, arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine 
house, and he arose and departed to his house." 

A Mrs. Hopkins confirmed the following statement before a large assemblage 



THE HEALER " IN HIS OWN COUNTRY. 

in New York. Mrs. Hopkins was paralyzed from her waist down. She was 
moved around in a chair on wheels for six years, and was a subject that the 
doctors had performed many experiments upon, especially " moxa ; " that is, 
burning her back from her neck down its entire length, with hammers heated 
nearly red hot, applied to the bare flesh. She was brought to Dr. Newton's 
rooms in Philadelphia in the arms of her brother. He worked on her about ten 
minutes, and then speaking in a decided tone, as " one having authority " (which 
seems to be a part of magnetic healing), said, " Get up ! Up with you ! " And 
in ten minutes she walked around, and in fifteen she ran up and down stairs per- 
fectly cured. At the time the above facts were detailed Mrs. Hopkins stood up 
by request before the audience, the picture of health. 

I myself once, in company with a friend, saw the Doctor operate on several 
pauper patients at his rooms in New York, when, quick as a flash of light, he set 
a boy's hip, and in the course of a few minutes caused two paralytic patients 
(before almost helpless) to walk across the room, one of whom had not been 
able to do so for very many years. When the last patient was dismissed, the 
Doctor stooped down and asked us to raise our hands as high above his head 
as we could. We did so, and felt a current as strong as a tolerable blast from a 
bellows. It was doubtless the surplusage magnetism or vital fluid that he had 
been surcharged with by spirit power passing from his brain, now that his ben- 
eficent labors of the day were over. Several hundred labelled crutches and canes 
were then in the Doctor's rooms, left by patients who had been healed. 

This magnetism of the healing medium, especially when there is strong faith 
in the recipient, can be often imparted by a touch of the patient, similar to that 
described by Matthew, wherein a " woman diseased with an issue of blood twelve 
years," came behind Jesus in a crowd, and by touching his garment in simple 
faith, was " made whole from that hour." * * * 

Matthew also relates that a certain ruler came to Jesus and told him that his 
daughter was dead— "but," said he, "come and lay thy hand upon her and she 
shall live." 

The maid was doubtless in a deep trance, in which such are often buried 
alive, as there is abundant proof. When Jesus came to the house he told the 
people there to "give place, for the maid is not dead but sleepeth, and they 
laughed him to scorn. But when the people were put forth he went in and took 
her by the hand, and the maid arose." 

This laughing in scorn no doubt disturbed the necessary harmonious con- 
ditions, and hence Jesus put the noisy crowd out of the house before commencing 
operations. 

All spiritualists of experience well know the absolute necessity of harmonious 
conditions, both externally and internally, in order to insure satisfactory spirit 
manifestations of any kind, and especially those of healing. Asking a controlling 
spirit once why it was that they were so sensitive to the presence of bigoted and 
malignant natures, whilst that of ordinary sinners did not seem to disturb them, 
he answered my question as X. Y. Z. does, by asking another, after this fashion — 
" How would you feel (said he) in conducting some nicely adjusted operation in 
the presence of venomous serpents that were continually spitting poison at you ? " 

II 



1 62 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

This doubtless was said in allusion to the class of men who were christened by 
both John and Jesus by so significant a name — Matt. iii. 7 ; xii. 34; xxiii. 33— 
which "generation" is by no means yet extinct. 

Dr. Newton has doubtlessly raised many people out of ordinary trance con- 
ditions, but I believe that he has never been called upon to operate on any per- 
son affected as seriously in that way as was the ruler's daughter (although some 
other spiritual mediums of the day, I think, have treated such with success), and 
therefore I cannot say what the Doctor could do in such cases. 

The following two instances of cure by Dr. Newton come about as near 
raising from the dead as any I have seen : — 

A Mrs. Torquand brought her child to the Doctor's rooms in New York at a 
time his house was full of patients waiting to be cured. As the child was brought 
in, " Why," said the people, "do they bring dead people here ? " The child had 
been paralyzed in both body and mind for twenty-two months ; its feet and head 
were hanging down ; it could not move a muscle except to turn its eye. The 
Doctor looked at it, and had but little faith that it could be cured, but the 
mother had unbounded faith. The Doctor worked on it about an hour, when it 
ran and walked in the full vigor of health. The Doctor gave her a jump rope, 
and the child went off jumping the rope up 18th street. 

The patient, a stout, hearty young girl, corroborated this statement last May, 
which was some months or years after the cure, before a large assembly in New 
York. 

[The other case here given is that narrated by Moses Cristy, of N. Y., to be 
found in full in Chap. IX. of this book. — Ed.] 

I meant in this connection to have compared all the cures mentioned in the 
New Testament consecutively as I have begun with those made by Dr. Newton, 
but find that I have already exceeded the limits of a newspaper article, and must 
hasten to a close. I will, however, just say that if space permitted I could show 
by numerous well authenticated cases that Dr. Newton has restored sight to the 
blind, hearing to the deaf, cured fevers and bloody flux, and cast out devils, after 
the manner recorded in the Testament. In fact, his cases of healing such mala- 
dies are to be numbered by tens of thousands. 

By the bye, I have observed that those persons who are possessed with the 
most dumpish kind of devils generally avoid the presence of spiritual mediums. 
They seem to have the same dread of them that the dumb demon of the tOmbs 
had of Jesus of Nazareth. And like the Gadarenes of old, when healing me- 
diums are about they are " taken with great fear," lest their own proper devils 
should be discerned and perhaps " cast out," and if they cannot persuade the 
mediums to " depart from their coasts," they take good care to give them a wide 
berth, and, like the aforesaid dumb one of the tombs, cry aloud that they want 
nothing to do with them . 

I think if X. Y. Z. and all candid investigators could be made fully aware of 
the number and quality of the Doctor's cures, they would be willing to concede 
that if his powers of healing do not yet come up fully to the standard presented 
by Jesus, they come nearer to it than do those of any of the popular professors 
of divinity of the day possess, or at least exercise. 



THE HEALER " IN HIS OWN COUNTRY." 1 63 

Besides, Dr. Newton's powers are no doubt constantly increasing, and will 
continue to do so as long as he retains his humility (the great tower of every true 
Christian's strength), and lives a natural, truthful, faithful life. In that case the 
spirit of Christ, which, according to the promise of Jesus, is now manifesting it- 
self through thousands of mediums in its second coming to earth, " in the glory 
of his father with his angels," will no doubt " make its abode " with the Doctor in 
common with all who have kept the temple of their hearts in a fit condition to 
receive them, and it will go hard indeed if, through their powerful assistance, the 
Doctor is not able to accomplish all that was promised, even if the thing be pos- 
sible to the restoring physical animation to a dead body after its life is dean gone 
therefrom. * * * 

But admitting all that X. Y. Z. and his clerical brethren may claim in respect 
to the cure of Lazarus, there is one fact connected with the Doctor's healing that 
does seem to come up, in a measure, to the standard of Christian belief pre- 
scribed by Jesus, viz., that of exercising his powers of healing in his own native 
city. 

We read that on one occasion, when Jesus attempted to teach his sublime and 
beautiful doctrines in the synagogue at Nazareth, that his fellow church-going 
citizens became so exasperated at his reproofs that they beguiled him to the brow 
of the hill on which the city was built, intending to throw him down headlong. 

On making a like attempt at some other period, hearers " were offended at 
him," querying, " Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary — the brother of 
James and Joses and of Juda ? and are not his sisters here with us ? But Jesus 
said unto them, a prophet is not without honor save in his own country, and 
among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty 
work, save that he laid his hands on a few sick folks and healed them." 

Very like this (excepting the affair on the hill) has been the treatment of Dr. 
Newton in Newport, his native city. In bitterness of spirit he can bear witness 
to the truth of the saying of Jesus, " If they have called the master of the house 
Beelzebub, how much more shall they call those of his household." 

Again said the scribes (whose Christian name is "generation of vipers "), 
"This fellow (Jesus) does not cast out devils but by Beelzebub, the prince of the 
devils." 

And so said many scribes and Pharisees of Newport (descended in a direct 
line from the same illustrious ancestor — John viii. 44 — as were the ancient and re- 
spectable families of "serpents " and "vipers " of Jerusalem before hinted at), 
in regard to Dr. Newton's cures, and even, if possible, using more opprobrious 
epithets towards those of the Master's " household " like Dr. Newton, than did 
their fathers to him whom they reviled and crucified. 

But in spite of all the contempt and contumely heaped upon him, the Doctor 
has, through faithfulness to himself, his gift, and to God, succeeded in establish- 
ing conditions, after years of trial in the face of all opposition, sufficiently har- 
monious to enable his spirit-guides to perform through his mediumship such 
multitudes of wonderful cures that one can scarcely walk the street without 
being compelled, even against their wills, to acknowledge the facts ; although 
some of the generation before alluded to still prefer ascribing the honor to their 



164 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

own father (John via. 44), rather than to render the praise to the father of him 
whom they profess to worship as the Son of God, to whom alone it belongs. 

THOMAS R. HAZARD. 
Vaucluse (R.I.), Dec. 4, 1866. 

The following case, which appears to have occurred during a 
subsequent visit of Dr. Newton to Newport, is placed on record in 
this connection. It is given by a correspondent of the New 
Orleans Times, in Sept., 1869. 

A WONDERFUL CURE— THE MAGNETIC HEALER— A TRIP TO 
NEWPORT, NARRAGANSETT BAY. 

" This is the Lord's doing ; it is marvellous in our eyes." — Ps. cxvin. 

Plainville, Ct., Sept. 27, 1869. 

To the Editor of the New Orleans Times. — Among the rare things I have 
seen since leaving my sweet southern home this summer, is the marvellous cure 
of Mr. Julius Norton — one of the oldest and most respected merchants of Mont- 
gomery, Ala. — of paralysis, which, from its inception, baffled the skill of the best 
physicians, north, south and west. 

Mr. Norton was, it appears from the account he himself authenticates, 
stricken, toward the close of the late unpleasantness, by what the doctors term 
«' nervous apoplexy." From death in the first attack he was, by sound profes- 
sional judgment, skilfully applied, almost miraculously rescued. His recovery 
therefrom was limited, as in all such cases, to only a partial use of his arms and 
lower extremities. 

His memory, greatly impaired by the shock it had sustained, grew weaker 
from day to day, and in a state of almost total physical and mental helplessness 
the invalid drifted along, sustaining, at various times, in all some four or five 
attacks from the same disorder, from each of which he arose a feebler and more 
helpless man. 

So persuaded was he that, to him, recovery was impossible, that he withdrew 
from his firm — Lee & Norton, of Montgomery — and after trying the best medical 
skill in various parts of the country in vain, removed with his family to his boy- 
hood's home — Connecticut — there, among the friends of his youth and affection- 
ate connections, to live out, as best he might, a few seasons of painful existence, 
unenlivened by a solitary hope of future restoration. 

For a year previous to his removal to this place, Mr. Norton had become so 
feeble in limb as to be able to walk — even when supporting himself with a cane 
— only six or seven steps, continuously resting from such exertion on a camp 
stool, always carried for him ; and his eyes, grown so sensitive to light, the 
slightest gleam of which seemed to carry torture to his brain, that he was 
obliged to keep them constantly screened from the sun or gaslight by a large 
enveloping shade. 

The sojourn of the invalid here, from early July to early August, was marked 



THE HEALER " IN HIS OWN COUNTRY. 1 65 

by no new development, save at times great weakness of intellect and vision, 
general depression and sinking. 

In this condition he was, by a cousin, Mr. Gad Norton, of Plainville, advised 
to consult a Dr. Newton, then at Newport, performing wonderful cures in 
paralysis through the instrumentality of magnetism scientifically applied. In 
company with one of his daughters, his cousin, and two other relatives, Mr. Nor- 
ton reached Newport after a day of, to him, exhaustive travel, in a state of utter 
prostration, early one Sunday morning in August. 

Soon after arriving he was taken to the Doctor in a carriage, from which he 
alighted with great difficulty, and walked as before described, with sitting inter- 
ruptions, into the presence of the magnetic healer. There the invalid underwent 
a series of manipulations, embracing a hot water shower bath on the brain, all 
lasting some thirty minutes, and at the close of the visit was able to return to the 
hotel — a long distance — on foot, without cane, or stool, or shade, with apparent 
ease, bearing the sunlight bravely all the way. 

The next morning he walked to the office of the Doctor, where the process of 
the previous day was repeated, thence back, after the sitting, to the hotel, and 
from there to the return boat, whereon he rode down the Narragansett Bay on 
deck — looking at passing steamers therein and reading their names — in the broad 
glare of the sun. 

On landing, the invalid journeyed as before, unassisted, over to the depot, 
took the train for Plainville, which he reached the same evening, slept soundly 
through the night, and has since then been, to the amazement of the village 
(whose people pour in on him to have the wonder they have heard confirmed), 
comparatively strong, improving daily, and walking and driving around and about 
Plainville without assistance of any kind. 

Dr. Newton is being literally besieged by the sick. He left for Kansas soon 
after treating Mr. Norton, doubtless to get a resting spell from his magnetic 
labors. He claims in his cures no merit for himself, but says they are the work 
of a higher power we call magnetism, which is, as yet, almost unknown in intel- 
ligent application to disease. 

In regard to Dr. Newton's labors and success in Providence, we 
find the following testimonies : 

From the Providence Press, April 26, 1867 : — 

DR. J. R. NEWTON IN REMINGTON HALL. 

Dr. J. R. Newton, whose fame and cures have become world-wide, and who 
has exercised his remarkable powers throughout the United States, some two or 
three hundred thousands of persons having passed under his hands, yesterday 
forenoon gave a lecture at Remington Hall in connection with a public healing. 
This is his third visit of the kind, and the attendance yesterday was greater than 
on any previous occasion. There were probably two thousand persons in the 
hall, and hundreds went away who could not gain admittance. 



164 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

own father (John viii. 44), rather than to render the praise to the father of him 
whom they profess to worship as the Son of God, to whom alone it belongs. 

THOMAS R. HAZARD. 
Vaucluse (R.I.), Dec. 4, 1866. 

The following case, which appears to have occurred during a 
subsequent visit of Dr. Newton to Newport, is placed on record in 
this connection. It is given by a correspondent of the New 
Orleans Times, in Sept., 1869. 

A WONDERFUL CURE— THE MAGNETIC HEALER— A TRIP TO 
NEWPORT, NARRAGANSETT BAY. 

" This is the Lord's doing ; it is marvellous in our eyes." — Ps. cxvm. 

Plainville, Ct., Sept. 27, 1869. 

fo the Editor of the New Orleans Times. — Among the rare things I have 
seen since leaving my sweet southern home this summer, is the marvellous cure 
of Mr. Julius Norton — one of the oldest and most respected merchants of Mont- 
gomery, Ala. — of paralysis, which, from its inception, baffled the skill of the best 
physicians, north, south and west. 

Mr. Norton was, it appears from the account he himself authenticates, 
stricken, toward the close of the late unpleasantness, by what the doctors term 
*■ nervous apoplexy." From death in the first attack he was, by sound profes- 
sional judgment, skilfully applied, almost miraculously rescued. His recovery 
therefrom was limited, as in all such cases, to only a partial use of his arms and 
lower extremities. 

His memory, greatly impaired by the shock it had sustained, grew weaker 
from day to day, and in a state of almost total physical and mental helplessness 
the invalid drifted along, sustaining, at various times, in all some four or five 
attacks from the same disorder, from each of which he arose a feebler and more 
helpless man. 

So persuaded was he that, to him, recovery was impossible, that he withdrew 
from his firm — Lee & Norton, of Montgomery — and after trying the best medical 
skill in various parts of the country in vain, removed with his family to his boy- 
hood's home — Connecticut — there, among the friends of his youth and affection- 
ate connections, to live out, as best he might, a few seasons of painful existence, 
unenlivened by a solitary hope of future restoration. 

For a year previous to his removal to this place, Mr. Norton had become so 
feeble in limb as to be able to walk — even when supporting himself with a cane 
— only six or seven steps, continuously resting from such exertion on a camp 
stool, always carried for him ; and his eyes, grown so sensitive to light, the 
slightest gleam of which seemed to carry torture to his brain, that he was 
obliged to keep them constantly screened from the sun or gaslight by a large 
enveloping shade. 

The sojourn of the invalid here, from early July to early August, was marked 



THE HEALER " IN HIS OWN COUNTRY. l6$ 

by no new development, save at times great weakness of intellect and vision, 
general depression and sinking. 

In this condition he was, by a cousin, Mr. Gad Norton, of Plainville, advised 
to consult a Dr. Newton, then at Newport, performing wonderful cures in 
paralysis through the instrumentality of magnetism scientifically applied. In 
company with one of his daughters, his cousin, and two other relatives, Mr. Nor- 
ton reached Newport after a day of, to him, exhaustive travel, in a state of utter 
prostration, early one Sunday morning in August. 

Soon after arriving he was taken to the Doctor in a carriage, from which he 
alighted with great difficulty, and walked as before described, with sitting inter- 
ruptions, into the presence of the magnetic healer. There the invalid underwent 
a series of manipulations, embracing a hot water shower bath on the brain, all 
lasting some thirty minutes, and at the close of the visit was able to return to the 
hotel — a long distance — on foot, without cane, or stool, or shade, with apparent 
ease, bearing the sunlight bravely all the way. 

The next morning he walked to the office of the Doctor, where the process of 
the previous day was repeated, thence back, after the sitting, to the hotel, and 
from there to the return boat, whereon he rode down the Narragansett Bay on 
deck — looking at passing steamers therein and reading their names — in the broad 
glare of the sun. 

On landing, the invalid journeyed as before, unassisted, over to the depot, 
took the train for Plainville, which he reached the same evening, slept soundly 
through the night, and has since then been, to the amazement of the village 
(whose people pour in on him to have the wonder they have heard confirmed), 
comparatively strong, improving daily, and walking and driving around and about 
Plainville without assistance of any kind. 

Dr. Newton is being literally besieged by the sick. He left for Kansas soon 
after treating Mr. Norton, doubtless to get a resting spell from his magnetic 
labors. He claims in his cures no merit for himself, but says they are the work 
of a higher power we call magnetism, which is, as yet, almost unknown in intel- 
ligent application to disease. 

In regard to Dr. Newton's labors and success in Providence, we 
find the following testimonies : 

From the Provide?ice Press, April 26, 1867 : — 

DR. J. R. NEWTON IN REMINGTON HALL. 

Dr. J. R. Newton, whose fame and cures have become world-w'ide, and who 
has exercised his remarkable powers throughout the United States, some two or 
three hundred thousands of persons having passed under his hands, yesterday 
forenoon gave a lecture at Remington Hall in connection with a public healing. 
This is his third visit of the kind, and the attendance yesterday was greater than 
on any previous occasion. There were probably two thousand persons in the 
hall, and hundreds went away who could not gain admittance. 



1 66 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

The cases which were presented for healing comprised a large number of 
desperate ones, many being paralysis, a disease which is very unyielding, and 
requires special treatment and the use of a conjunctive agency which cannot be 
used in a public assembly. This is true of some other diseases, which, when 
chronic, demand, in connection with the magnetic power of the Doctor, hot water. 
This has proved a powerful agent, and while speaking of its necessity in certain 
cases presented yesterday, such as white swelling, diabetes, and other ailments, 
he said that if used in insanity, he had no doubt our insane asylums would 
be speedily emptied. He instanced cases in his own practice where the 
patients had been restored to a sound mind, cases of long standing, which 
were considered hopelessly incurable. He said that all cases of cerebral de- 
rangement were readily reached by magnetism and hot water. The water should 
be at a temperature of from u6° to 120 . 

We have not space to give his remarks at length, and it would be difficult to 
d > so, as we took no notes, and what he said covered the time of healing and 
were made as suggested by the cases for the time being passing under his hands. 
He commenced by saying that the power of healing he considered to be an ap- 
plication of the Christ principle. The healer should be harmonious with himself 
and with the world. He should be overflowing with sympathy and reach out to 
ever}- man as a brother and every woman as a sister. Lifted into this high 
sphere, desiring to do good for its own sake, to reach the suffering and afflicted 
all unselfishly, with motives untainted by sordidness, whether of money or honor 
among men, the healer could confidently look for God's blessing upon his 
labors. * * * 

The power of impartation was dependent upon the organization, as was the 
adaptedness of receiving it to a certain extent. But let the organization be as it 
might, there must be faith either in the healer or the one to be healed. This 
was no new doctrine. Those conversant with the Xew Testament will call to 
mind the frequent reference to the efficacy of faith in connection with healing. 
It is recorded that Christ said, "Daughter, be of good cheer, thy faith hath made 
thee whole ; " and again, " He did not many mighty works there by reason of 
their unbelief," or" words equivalent thereto. 

He said there was eliminated in his system a certain amount of the life prin- 
ciple, which he was able to project by his will, and active use of his arms and 
body, throughout a room, and reach those diseased, he indicating at the time such 
as he desired to reach by calling the disease. This he illustrated by projecting 
the life power to reach those suffering acute pain. They rose up in the audience, 
and several averred they distinctly felt the influence, followed by a cessation of 
pain. We might extend this at considerable length in noting the observations 
made in connection with the cases operated upon, but must forbear. We will 
say, however, that many suggestions, though novel, had the seeming of reason 
and philosophy, especially as there were corroborations by cases reached, cured 
or benefited, tantamount to a demonstration. 

A noted case was the restoration of the voice to a lady who had not spoken 
loud for several months. She could only faintly whisper when she went upon 
the platform, but left it restored and able to converse in full tone. Several cases 



THE HEALER " IN HIS OWN COUNTRY." 1 67 

of lameness were attestations of Dr. Newton's power ; some, whose arms could 
not perform their office, left the platform able to extend them at length and 
throw them up to the top of the head ; others, whose lower limbs were more or 
less affected, and whose walk was with a limp or halting, stepped off with all 
steadiness. One lady we noticed, who came into the hall evidently suffering 
from a painful back, who rejoiced that she was made whole. We saw her an 
hour or more after the treatment, and she declared herself a " new creature." We 
had the names of three or four marked cases, but mislaid the paper upon which 
they were noted. 

We have endeavored to give a fair transcript of the healing, and are not con- 
scious of having passed the line of fairness in any particular. There is unmistak- 
ably a power possessed by Dr. Newton, which is wonderful, and which is doing 
much to free humanity from its ills, and in its use the Doctor is generous, freely 
treating the poor without money and without price. 

From the Banner of Light : — 

DR. NEWTON IN PROVIDENCE, AND HIS WONDERFUL WORKS 

THERE. 

Sunday, April 28th, was an eventful day in my experience. Dr. Newton was 
in Providence, and occupied Pratt's Hall Sunday morning. It was crowded to 
overflowing. There must have been fifteen hundred persons present. The Doc- 
tor spent about three-quarters of an hour elucidating his theory of healing. He 
asserted that it was no exceptional gift ; that he shared it in common with hu- 
manity; that the power by means of which the cures were wrought, was latent in 
every human soul ; that it was magnetism, the great power of life, flowing from 
God through all created things ; that the only conditions requisite for any man, 
whereby he may be enabled to work as marvellous cures as were ever accom- 
plished, were a pure, healthy organism and a kind, loving heart. The Doctor's 
words were listened to with profound attention. 

At the close of his lecture my eyes witnessed a scene that beggars descrip- 
tion. It carried me back in imagination to the days when, in the sunny land of 
Judea, the sick and the suffering thronged around the carpenter's son in such 
crowds that some of them had to be let down from the house-tops on beds in 
order to get near him, and cured them of all manner of infirmities. 

The Doctor first requested those in the audience who were suffering from 
acute diseases to rise, and he would throw his power upon them en masse and 
cure them in that way. From seventy-five to a hundred persons rose. The Doc- 
tor drew his hands up to his chest, and concentrating a power that seemed to fill 
his whole being and flash from his eyes like sparks of fire, he threw this power 
down upon the audience three times, saying each time, " Be cured ! disease, de- 
part ! " Then he requested all who were relieved to sit down. Only one lady 
remained standing. She was suffering from headache. He concentrated his 
power and threw it again toward her alone. She was not relieved. He says, 
" This lady has an unusually positive nature." This was evident from the lady's 



1 68 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

general appearance. Calling her toward him, he placed his hands upon her, 
saying, " Be cured ! " and she was made whole from that moment. 

Then he requested some of the worst chronic cases to come forward to the 
platform. And what a scene ensued ! The blind, the lame, the deaf, the palsied 
and those afflicted with divers diseases came forward to be healed, and for 
an hour and a half he laid his hands on them and they were healed. I saw a 
cripple, a young man about twenty years of age, who had not walked without 
crutches since he was three years old ; who had never been able to go up and 
down steps without assistance in addition to his crutches, at the command of the 
Doctor throw aside those crutches, walk back and forth across the stage, go 
down the steps and out of the hall, and I was told that he walked to his home, 
the distance of half a mile, without them. This was so remarkable a case that 
the audience could not restrain their enthusiasm, but gave demonstrations of 
hearty applause. 

I was on the platform close by the Doctor all the time he was operating, 
and watched with professional interest the effect of his power. One man 
came up wearing a pair of goggles. Dr. Newton pulled them off, revealing 
a pair of the most intensely inflamed eyes I ever saw; and I have walked the 
wards of the hospitals of our large cities as a student, and spent hours in our eye 
infirmaries. The Doctor placed his fingers upon those eyes, and I actually saw 
the inflammation subside from them. Three times he placed his fingers upon 
them, uttering his words of power, " Be cured ! " and each time I could see 
the marvellous effect. Finally, he who could not endure a ray of light upon 
his eyes when he entered the hall, turned and looked without blinking upon the 
large uncurtained windows through which streamed the unimpeded light of 
heaven. 

I saw several who were deaf healed of that infirmity so that they could hear 
a whisper. Hundreds were operated upon, and no case of failure was reported 
at the time. Several times in the throng, the Doctor felt himself touched. 
" Who touched me?" " I, sir," " You are healed ; pass right on. There is 
no necessity for my operating upon you again. You are healed, for I felt the 
power go out of me I" 

What a striking illustration of that old-time scene, when Jesus exclaimed, as 
the. throng pressed about him, " Who touched me?" and the woman who had 
touched his garment and was healed of her infirmity, came tremblingly forward 
and received the gracious assurance, " Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole." 

Many cases of cure by proxy were attempted. We have no means of getting 
at reports of these cases, but each attempt was attended with certain psychical 
phenomena that to me were intensely interesting. For instance, a man said to 
the Doctor, " My daughter at home has been sick a long time." "Have you 
faith that I can cure her ? " " I have strong faith that you can." The Doctor 
paused a moment, and in that interval seemed to come into perfect sympathy 
with the absent sick one, and to get an idea not only of the disease under which 
she was suffering, but also of her general condition and appearance. Then he 
took the father's hand and bade him shut his eyes and concentrate his thought 
upon his daughter. " Now," said he, "I shall send a shock to her, and she will 



THE HEALER " IN HIS OWN COUNTRY. 1 69 

feel it. Again ! yet again ! She is cured from this hour. Take out your watch 
and note the time, and please report the case to me, for it is a marked one." He 
operated in this way, curing by proxy, and I wish the effects, if any were pro- 
duced, might be reported.* 

There were many church-members present who looked on with astonishment. 
And no wonder, when they read in the text-book of their belief, " These signs shall 
follow them that believe." No wonder they marvel, when nowhere can they find 
the signs that are the seal of discipleship save among the condemned and anathe- 
matized Spiritualists. And some said this power is of God, and others said, 
nay, it is of the devil. And we saw, and our hearts grew glad within us at this 
splendid exposition of the power of our faith as it culminates in works, in the 
signs and wonders of the spirit. 

The Doctor in his preliminary remarks gave utterance to a grand prophecy. 
He said the time was surely coming when men should lay their hands upon the 
morally diseased and they should be made whole. God grant the prediction may 
be speedily verified. 

FRED. L. H. WILLIS, M. D. 

From the Providence Press : — 

DR. NEWTON, THE HEALER.' 

Our Reporter visited Pratt's Hall yesterday, and we give to our readers the 
result of his sight-seeing. He is a firm believer in the marvellous results which 
he chronicles, although for ourselves we confess our lack of faith, and should 
prefer a personal examination of each case to-day. Theologians say that when 
the organ of marvellousness is prominent, the boundary line separating presump- 
tion from faith is nearly obliterated, especially when excitement gives activity to 
the imagination. This is a matter-of-fact world, and we have too much of the 
skeptical in our composition to take even the public cures of Dr. Newton or any 
other man upon even so honest a testimony as that of our Reporter. We give 
it however as he has written it, and expect as a reward for our outspoken skep- 
ticism, an avalanche of testimonials from those who believe themselves cured or 
helped, with a request to print. Patience, friends, our columns are too heavily 
loaded to accommodate you all. We beg, in advance, that you will not attempt 
our conversion by affidavits or written statements sent for publication. Eds. 

Dr. J. R. Newton, yesterday morning, spoke in Pratt's Hall on the gift of 
healing, and gave examples of it on the platform. The announcement that he 
was to speak had drawn together an immense audience. The Hall was filled on 
the floor and in the galleries, many being those who were afflicted with the ills to 
which flesh is heir to, come to test the powers of the doctor and find an easement 
for their afflictions. 

The Doctor commenced by saying that the gift of healing had ever existed ; it 
was coeval with and ran parallel to humanity. In many it was latent, but it could 

* In the testimony next cited (from the Providence Press) there appears to be a report from 
the case here instanced. See last paragraph. — Ed. 



I/O THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

be brought out in a greater or lesser degree, according to the organization of the 
individual. The agency he called magnetism, for want of a better term. It 
might appropriately be called the life force, for it was the propelling power of 
the system. It could be imparted and received. It might be supposed he felt 
exhausted ; but though he worked hard sometimes, and hundreds consecutively 
passed under his hands, he retained his strength and power. While he was 
healing, his own system was generating power constantly, and the audience was 
a reservoir in addition, from which he was constantly receiving magnetism. In 
certain classes of diseases, deafness especially, he was enabled to be more suc- 
cessful, and was surer of performing a cure in a public audience than in his own 
private rooms. He possessed more power, and could concentrate a greater 
charge of vital force. It may be well to say here that there are three diseases 
which the Doctor considers to be somewhat exceptional — palsy, deafness, and con- 
sumption in its advanced stages. These are attended so often by distinct organic 
derangements that the) - are beyond a curative state. 

Dr. Newton said there were three species of magnetism, animal, vegetable 
and mineral. The first was the special curative agency, because it was subject to 
the human will. It could be controlled and directed by the use of strong will- 
power. But this will-power must be exercised in love. It must act in conjunc- 
tion with the fundamental principles enunciated by Christ — Love your neighbor 
— Do unto others as you would that they should do unto you. If this was true 
eighteen hundred years ago, it is no less true to-day. The healer must be hum- 
ble and child-like, be imbued with the love principle, and make of himself a 
temple worthy for the indwelling of angelic and divine powers. Did we all per- 
mit the Father to dwell in us, did we recognize our common brotherhood, and 
did we realize how we are spiritually connected, the magnetism of love would 
fill us all, and we should have a foretaste of Heaven upon earth. 

Personal contact is not necessary for healing, but it may be done through 
garments or through a friend. But there is one condition, there must be faith on 
one side or the other. If the person who comes to be healed, or the friend 
through w T hom the healing is to be done, comes freely of his or her will, with an 
earnest desire to receive the blessing, the case, if curable, will be reached. If 
persons are brought or do not desire to come, it is but seldom they can be 
reached, though sometimes they are. 

Under these conditions healing must be performed. If a person is to be 
cured at a distance, the individual who brings the garment, or if not bringing a 
garment, the person through whom the healing power is to be transmitted, must 
concentrate his or her mind on the person to be healed. This concentrated mind 
completes the circuit, and a shock may be transmitted which will be sensibly felt 
by the one who is sick, and he or she will be cured or begin to mend from that 
moment. The magnetism passes and returns, in a manner analagous to tele- 
graphing. The human mind for the time being becomes a conductor. At this 
point Dr. Newton said that two years since he cured a young man, then about 
twenty r years of age, who had not walked from birth. He believed he was present 
and would request him to come forward. The young man did so, and walked 
quite comfortably across the platform and took his seat. The Doctor said he 



THE HEALER " IN HIS OWN COUNTRY. I/I 

had called the young man forward to let the audience see that such cures were 
permanent, as there was much skepticism on this point. 

He related several cases of cures, some bedridden, some at a distance, and 
proceeded. 

He remarked that when a lad he possessed healing powers, and he frequently 
operated on his playmates, but he did not understand the subject, and for many 
years his powers were dormant. The spiritualistic movement attracted his atten- 
tion, and he began to query what the exhibitions of his childhood days meant. 
He went to the New Testament ; he carefully noted the cases of healing there 
recorded, the circumstances or conditions under which they were performed. He 
felt moved to enter upon a mission of love, and did so unfalteringly, trusting in 
God, He believed he had been successful, as any one will be who has universal 
love in his heart and feels that the spirit of God is in him. 

He had a faith that greater things than had yet been seen were to be accom- 
plished in no distant future. He believed that the morals of men would be im- 
proved in a similar manner. When we become cognizant of the mental and 
spiritual forces which reside in us, and let the love and Christ-principle predom- 
inate, we shall become mighty to the pulling down of strongholds. 

Dr. Newton then said he would throw his power upon the audience and cure 
those suffering from acute pains. He requested such to rise, and probably fifty 
stood up. He then, on the platform, put his hands together, drawing them tow- 
ards his breast, then suddenly threw them outward and said, " you are cured." 
He then requested those whose pains were cured to sit down. All but one lady 
did so, and after one or two movements of his hands as before, she sat down, de- 
claring herself relieved. A remarkable fact was observed as the Doctor threw 
out his hands in the first instance. There was a sharp detonation, similar to the 
crack of a percussion cap when it is struck. It was distinctly heard by hundreds. 
The Doctor told us last evening that it was the first occurrence of the kind in his 
practice. 

The invalids then went upon the platform, and a large number passed under 
the Doctor's hands. We heard many declare themselves cured, and many say 
they had sensibly improved. We have not space to enter into details, and can 
only mention two or three marked cases. 

Ozias C. Danforth, lame seven years, walking with difficulty by aid of a staff. 
In less than two minutes he walked and ran across the platform without his staff, 
and handled his legs as nimbly almost as though he was a boy. He walked off 
without any support. 

William C. Tuttle had not walked for seventeen years, since he was three 
years of age. He had been forced to use crutches. He could not go up stairs 
into the hall himself, but was carried by two men. In an incredibly short space 
of time he walked backwards and forwards across the platform, and the last we 
heard of him he was walking on the street with his crutches under his arm. 

Charles Sibley, No. 92 Pine street, corner of Pine and Potter, who has for 
several years been partially paralyzed, was much relieved, and walked much easier 
and freer. He carried his arm to his head readily, not having been able to raise 
it higher than his breast for seven years. 



172 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

But the strangest case we have to narrate now. Mr. Alfred S. Buffington, re- 
siding on Friendship street, came upon the platform and desired that one of his 
family at home, we think his daughter, Mrs. Winslow, might be treated. Dr. 
Newton took him by the hands and said, " the lady will feel a shock and be 
cured ; " at the same time he brought up his arms and suddenly brought them 
down, by which he claimed the magnetic current would be transmitted to the 
lady. Dr. Newton requested that the time be noted. A gentleman who called 
there in the afternoon informed us that the lady felt the shock and immediately 
commenced vomiting, after which she was much better and evidently convalescent. 



From the same : — 

DR. NEWTON AT REMINGTON HALL. 

Dr. J. R. Newton, of Newport, yesterday forenoon exercised his gift of heal- 
ing, publicly, at Remington Hall. The entire hall was filled, and many who came 
at a late hour were unable to enter. He opened with a short address explaining 
his mode of operation and the principles governing it, * * * and then pro- 
ceeded to heal. 

Those who were suffering from acute pains were first treated. The Doctor 
stood on the platform and those to be treated were in the audience. With a 
powerful concentration of will-power, and a vigorous out-throwing of his hands 
and arms, he claimed to send forth a wave of the vital fluid, which, as it reached 
the subject, was appropriated and produced its effect. Most of those who arose 
declared their pains removed. 

On the front seat were the lame and crippled. The Doctor went upon the 
floor and healed them, several of whom were children affected with spinal diffi- 
culties ; most of these were visibly affected, and plainly indicated that a change 
had been made in their conditions. Dr. Newton said such cases required several 
treatments, and the use of warm water to aid the restoration. 

One of the most marked cases was Mr. Jonathan J. Leonard, of Warren, 
a middle aged man, affected with inflammatory rheumatism for five months, be- 
sides a complication of other diseases. He told us that he had not been able to 
sit up more than an hour and a half a day for some time. Having been treated 
upon the floor, he went upon the platform, with a little assistance. Another 
treatment and he walked smartly across the platform back and forth. He pub- 
licly stated his condition, and most feelingly thanked God that his infirmity had 
been healed. At the close, he walked down the aisle and left the house with his 
crutches upon his shoulders. There were several other noted cases of lameness 
and partial paralysis cured, and those afflicted showed before the audience that 
their infirmities had departed. Several who had to be aided upon the platform, 
passed down the other side without assistance. A great variety of diseases were 
treated, and many of all kinds were removed, as the subjects declared. A lady 
who was deaf as she passed us on the platform, declared she could hear as well 



THE HEALER " IN HIS OWN COUNTRY.' 1 73 

as ever, and another whose vision was imperfect, declared she could see distinctly 
all over the hall. 

Whether these cures will be permanent remains to be seen. Judging from 
the past, however, the most may be expected to remain, as several were at the 
Hall yesterday, who were healed months and years since, and have remained so to 
the present time. 

Treat this system of healing as men may, it challenges investigation. Its re- 
sults are to be seen on every hand. Thousands walk the avenues of life to-day, 
who have been rescued from languishing and pain by its beneficent instrumentality. 



From the Banner of Light : — 

dr. newton's great cure in providence. 

The case of Mrs. Rebecca E. Smith, No. 9 Fountain street, city of Providence, 
affords an instance of curing by laying on of hands, which must forever settle 
the question that, under proper conditions, the healing agencies of the sprit-world 
will triumph over disease in its worst forms. The cure was performed by Dr. 
Newton, and is an illustration of the work done through him. Mrs. Smith had 
been an invalid for two or three years, and on the first of June utterly gave out, 
most of the time confined to her bed. She finally was prostrated entirely, and 
had been confined to the bed six weeks in pain and agony — hopeless — for she had 
been under treatment of "skilled" (so the world says) physicians in Boston and 
Providence Her case was a complicated one, being partial paralysis, commenc- 
ing first in her head, then passing to her limbs — a nervous affection of the heart 
and spinal complaint. She could not rise from her bed, and had to be moved 
with extreme care. When she was in position in bed, so sensitive was her back 
in the venal regions, that she declares she could not move it a hair's breadth. It 
was sensitive to a most acute degree. Arrangements had been made to remove 
her to an infirmary in North Providence, when it was determined to send for Dr. 
Newton, then in Boston. A letter was despatched, and a reply received that he 
would be in Providence on Tuesday evening, October 18th. He came, arriving 
by train at six o'clock; went immediately to the house, and at once operated on 
his patient. In less than five minutes Mrs. Smith rose from her bed and walked 
three times around the parlors. Dr. Newton then told her to dress for a walk. 
She did so, with the assistance of her daughter, Mrs. Scholfield, went clown 
stairs, then down several stone steps into the street, took'Dr. Newton's arm and 
walked over to Westminster street, corner of Moulton, to the house of a friend, 
Mr. Francis Hacker, and without any support went up a long flight of stairs. 
This was at half-past six — half an hour after the Doctor's arrival in the city — 
having walked nearly a quarter of a mile. In a short time she returned home, 
walking all the way, and up the stone steps and stairs at her residence. The 
next day she rode about four miles, and countermanded the arrangements at the 
infirmary. The next day being stormy, she did not go out, but walked round the 



1/4 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

house, attending to household duties. On Friday she went to Boston, riding in 
the cars ; in that city she rode much in the horse cars, and walked quite a dis- 
tance without any special fatigue, though her daughter, who was with her, de- 
clared that she herself was fatigued. She returned to Providence, none the worse 
for the journey, and has continued about since, walking out and performing her 
usual household duties. She has been constantly gaining strength, her appetite 
has come, and her limbs have regained their fullness. She declared that she was 
sensible of the change in her limbs at the time of the cure, and noticed that the 
process of filling out at once began. 

I saw Mrs. Smith for the first time, Sunday evening, October 30th, and received 
from her the statement of the case. I have seen her once or twice since ; she is 
gaining constantly, and full of gratitude for her marvellous deliverance. 

I will not take up space in comments, for the facts speak for themselves, and 
attest the power of healing beyond cavil. Utter helplessness, and a walk of a 
mile inside of half an hour ! This is the salient fact, which no words or elabora- 
tion can make of greater significance. WILLIAM FOSTER, Jr. 

Providence, R. I., Nov. nth, 1870. 



From the same: — 

THE REGULARS AND DR. J. R. NEWTON. 

We have another case in Providence — a cure effected by Dr. J. R. Newton, 
after the patient had been in the Rhode Island Hospital — a case which appeared 
most unpromising at the outset, but which yielded to his and the good angels' 
powers at once. I might justly indulge in a criticism on the regular practice, but 
forbear, lest I should say hard things and make my communication too long. So 
I pass to the case and the cure. 

Mary Salera Martelli, an Italian girl, aged eighteen or twenty, resided in 
Providence, doing housework in a family. She was poor, had only a single 
friend, Mrs. Charlotte Hallett, who had known her when a child in Chatham, 
Mass., soon after her arrival in this country, when a mere child. The girl had 
been complaining something like a year, and last March disease had made such 
inroad that it was with difficulty she could work. In September she gave up, 
being unable to labor longer, and, by the intervention of Mrs. Hallett, became 
an inmate of the Women's Boarding- House. The state of her health became 
such that some of the ladies of the institution procured her admission to the 
Rhode Island Hospital, without the knowledge of Mrs. Hallett, however. She 
entered it on the 4th of October, or thereabouts, and went under treatment. 
What that was, I cannot give in detail. There, however, is a key which will 
open the door and let in some light. She was laboring under a severe in- 
flammation of the bladder and kidneys, and one agency employed was the in- 
jection of nitrate of silver. There was also given a preparation of buchu, nitre 
and belladonna. The result was, that, after a time, spasms were developed 
of a very severe character, also a loss of eyesight, with a peculiar feeling in the 



THE HEALER " IN HIS OWN COUNTRY. 175 

head. She describes these spasms as commencing with a burning sensation and 
pain, passing upward through the stomach, finally reaching the throat, accom- 
panied with a choking sensation arid a labored breathing. She also lapsed into 
an unconscious state, and remained for a longer or shorter period insensible. 
Her distress was awful. Finally, she thought death was at hand. She sent for 
Mrs. Hallett, who went to her bedside, and found that Mary wished to make ar- 
rangements for her funeral, and designate how she should be robed for the grave, 
to all appearance about to open to receive her young form. Hope had left her, 
and the treatment of the doctors had made her indifferent to life, so intense were 
her sufferings. Mrs. Hallett apprehended the situation, and determined to re- 
move her to her own home in the city, and did so November 16th, intending to 
send for Dr. Newton. She despatched a letter the day of the interview. The 
following day after her removal, Mary had a recurrence of the spasms, which con- 
tinued so long that Mrs. Hallett, to make sure, fearing the letter might have mis- 
carried, sent a telegram to Dr. Newton, which he received at half-past three in 
the afternoon, and at four took the train for Providence, arriving here at six. He 
found Mary insensible, the spasms being on. In less than five minutes she was 
restored to consciousness and stood on her feet ; the vital functions resumed 
their sway, so that she went out and walked about a quarter of a mile and back, 
calling upon Mrs. Smith, who had been restored a few weeks previously by Dr. 
Newton. She sat up till near eleven o'clock, then retired, declaring in the morn- 
ing that she had not had such a sweet, refreshing sleep for a year. 

I called at the house before Dr. Newton left, and the gratitude of Mary could 
not find words to express itself. As I saw and mused, my eyes moistened, for a 
flood of emotions rushed over me. She has steadily improved, walking out 
almost daily, also doing housework. She prepared the Thanksgiving dinner, and 
the day preceding made pastry and cake, and was prevented from doing more 
lest she should overtask herself. She is now free from pain ; she has resumed 
her elastic step, hope has revived, the terrible gloom enveloping her in the hos- 
pital has lifted, and she can look forward to a pathway sunlit and pleasant. * * 
She was very anxious that I should communicate the facts to the public, which 
I promised to do. W. FOSTER, Jr. 

Providence, Nov. 24, 1870. 



In this connection the following observations of an eye-witness 
in regard to these scenes of public healing will be of interest : — 

" It is at his public meetings that Dr. Newton's wondrous power is often most 
signally displayed and felt. The power seems to increase in proportion to the 
demands upon it ; the very heavens seem to be open to pour down showers of 
divine love and healing. The scene is one of intense and thrilling interest. The 
crowded halls, the expectant, eager throng ; the cries and shouts of joy when a 
beloved friend is relieved of his distress and infirmity; and again the wonder and 
awe that holds them speechless when a miraculous cure is performed ; the groups 



I76 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

of wonder-stricken ones holding whispered consultations and occasionally revil- 
ing ; and above all the central figure, towering above all others, erect, confident, 
and endowed with more than mortal power, radiant with almost heavenly glory, 
bidding the sick be healed, and the afflicted to rejoice ; and occasionally uttering 
words of comfort and cheer to all around him ; — all these form a scene that will 
remain indelibly engraved on the mind of the observer ; a scene upon which 
angels and archangels look with rejoicing." 



In 1867 Dr. Newton visited the cities of Salem and Chelsea, in 
Massachusetts, and Portland, in Maine, regarding which visits the 
following testimonies are on record : 

From the Banner of Light, April, 1867 :— 

DR. NEWTON IN SALEM. 

Dr Newton has been practicing in Salem since the 23d of this month. He 
commenced his labors by giving a very interesting discourse on the philosophy of 
healing, which was listened to with close attention. He then began to put his 
theory into practice, by asking all in the audience who were suffering from acute 
pain to stand up, assuring them that he would cure them without touch, and he 
kept his word to the general satisfaction of all. During the Doctor's stay in 
Salem, he was successful in curing a large number of cases. Mr. A. C. Robinson, 
of Salem, a respectable gentleman of well-known integrity, vouches for the follow- 
ing cases, most of which were treated under his own observation. ,We mention 
these cases as encouragement to others similarly afflicted. 

Mr. Isaac Pray, of Salem, was so afflicted with lameness in the hip joint and 
leg, as to disable him from walking up stairs the usual way for seven years ; was 
cured in one treatment before an audience of six hundred persons. 

Mr. Nathaniel Ham, of North Beverly, had a very lame knee, badly 
swollen ; walked with a crutch ; was cured in two treatments. 

Mr. Samuel Church, of Salem, troubled with nervousness and extreme 
difficulty in breathing ; cured in two treatments. 

Mrs. Nancy J. Fowler, Margin street, Salem, came to Lyceum Hall, Sun- 
day, March 24th, with lameness, and was cured immediately, before the audience, 
running back to her seat with the agility of a child, showering gratitude and 
blessings upon the Doctor for his noble gift of healing. 

Mrs. Judson Chace, Harbor street, Salem, for nine weeks had been suffer- 
ing from hip complaint and an abcess, during which time she could not walk ; 
was brought to the Essex House in a coach, March 31st, requiring two persons 
to carry her in their arms ; in thirty minutes she walked back to the coach with- 
out assistance, perfectly cured. One of the most eminent physicians of the place 
had been treating her case, but could not effect a cure. 



THE HEALER IN SALEM, MASS. 1 77 

Mrs. David Porter, of South Danvers, had suffered from tumor of three 
years' standing. With two operations was entirely cured. 

Mrs. James Estes, of South Danvers, had running scrofula sores upon one 
limb, and was entirely cured in forty-eight hours from the time of treatment. 

Miss Matthews, 8 Ash street, Salem, had lost the use of her voice for six 
years ; was perfectly restored with two treatments. 

Ella Meader, daughter of Henry Meader, of South Danvers, had lost her 
voice for thirteen months ; was perfectly cured with one treatment. 

Mrs. Chipman, 424 Essex street, Salem, had also lost her voice for one year ; 
was cured with one treatment. 

Alice M. Ward, daughter of Mr. Nathaniel M. Ward, of Haverhill, Mass., 
had stiff fingers on one hand and could not use them for two years ; cured with 
one treatment. 

Mrs. Elizabeth Graves, of Marblehead, was lame and walked with 
crutches ; cured by a glove being presented to the Doctor by her son. April 15th 
she appeared in Lyceum Hall and gave testimony to the above. 

Willie Yeavv, of Northboro', had a white swelling on the knee ; was cured 
with one treatment. 

Jesse L. Yeaw, of Lynn, was afflicted with humor in one eye, from the effects 
of which he had lost his sight. The sight was restored and he perfectly cured 
with two treatments. 

As many people are always ready to cry out, " Oh, the cures won't remain 
permanent ! " Mr. Robinson cites the following case, to which he is knowing. It 
is sufficient for the present, though many others could be given: 

Mr. John Brimblecomb, of Lynn, five years ago, carried his daughter to Dr. 
Newton, who was then in Boston, to be treated for spinal curvature, with which 
she was afflicted and very much deformed. The Doctor saw her twice, and said 
if his directions were followed implicitly she would be well again. She was re- 
stored to health, and remains cured to this day, She visited Lyceum Hall, April 
8th, as a witness of the wonderful healing powers of Dr. Newton. 

The above cited cases represent only a small portion of the cures effected by 
Dr. Newton while in Salem, but they are sufficient to illustrate the fact that 
theory and practice, or faith and works, can go hand in hand. 



From the Cape Ann Advertiser, April 19, 1867 :- 
THE POWER OF HEALING. 

Dr. Newton, who has been practicing at Salem, has caused great excitement 
among the sick in Essex county, who have visited him by hundreds. A large 
number from this town have availed themselves of the privilege ; and being 
curious to witness the process of healing used by the Doctor, we visited his 
rooms one day this week. There were present some twenty-five persons afflicted 
with divers diseases, such as spinal difficulties, rheumatism, lung complaints, 

12 



1/3 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

catarrh, softening of the brain, weak eyes, throat diseases, etc. We passed into 
the room and had a good opportunity of witnessing the various operations. The 
Doctor enquires the disease and then commences his manipulations, assuring the 
patient that he is benefiting them and commanding them, if lame, to walk, if 
blind, to see, if weak, to be strong. Those whom he treated in our presence did 
show marked signs of improvement at once, but whether or not it will be perma- 
nent we are not at this writing prepared to state. At some future time we intend 
to speak of this subject again, as we wish to observe the result of some very bad 
cases in this vicinitv, which are now under his treatment. 



From the Batmer of Light, June, 1867 : — 

DR. XEWTOX IN CHELSEA. 

The announcement that this most wonderful healer of modern times was to 
lecture in Library Hall, Chelsea, on Wednesday evening, June 12th, and at the 
same time illustrate his power of causing aches, pains, complaints and diseases, 
either of long or short standing, to instantaneously "depart," drew together an 
audience only limited to the extreme capacity of the hall, many being unable to 
gain admittance. Apparently one solid mass of vari-colored humanity was 
crowded within the four walls of the room 

B. T Martin, Chairman of the Committee, called the meeting to order, and 
introduced the exercises in a few appropriate remarks, in which he instanced sev. 
eral remarkable cures performed by the Doctor, which had come under his own 
observation, especially that of his little boy, who was completely cured of deaf- 
ness, and always remained so. ******** 

Dr. Xewton was then' introduced, and proceeded in a friendly and conversa- 
tional tone to explain the principle involved in removing physical ills by laying on 
of hands — the popular method practiced by Jesus and his Apostles, and by the 
ancients generally. Though not accustomed to public speaking, he said, he ut- 
tered what came to him, without fear or favor — fear being the worst of enemies. 
This was illustrated by a peculiar case which occurred in Portland. A man was 
brought to his office for treatment, whose appearance was such as to frighten, and 
for the time being to render powerless all efforts to help him ; and not until 
everv vestige of this element of fear was removed, was the man relieved. 

[A report of the lecture here follows at some length — substantially the same 
as given elsewhere, and therefore omitted.] 

The Doctor's remarks were interspersed with pertinent reference to parties who 
had been cured of all sorts of maladies. Many valuable suggestions, real philo- 
sophic gems, were scattered throughout the lecture, while the whole was imbued 
with the spirit of the rarest brotherly and fraternal love. Among other memor- 
able sayings, he made the medical prediction that hardly twenty years would 
elapse before the present allopathic method of treatment would become obsolete. 

But for the confusion at the door, caused by the pressure of the crowd, the 
meeting would have been far more harmonious, and, per consequence, a much 



THE HEALER IN PORTLAND, ME. 1 79 

greater success. Yet notwithstanding this disturbance, which made it very diffi- 
cult for the Doctor to connectedly continue his remarks, the results of the meet- 
ing were marvelous. At the conclusion of his address, he asked those who were 
suffering from acute diseases only, to rise, and he would endeavor to cure them. 
Apparently some two dozen persons arose, when the doctor, aggregating within 
himself great electrical power, as though he was a battery fully charged, suddenly 
extended his arms and exclaimed, " Be healed ; disease depart ; now your pains 
have all left you " — when most of them immediately sat down. Two or three 
hard-shell or obstinate cases, however, called for additional treatment ; one of 
them proving to be a case of chronic rheumatism, and the other was a displaced 
bone in a man's wrist, which as soon as the Doctor took hold of it, it became ad- 
justed, making a noise loud enough to be heard by those standing near. By this 
time, the platform whereon the doctor stood was fairly — nay, unfairly — taken pos- 
session of by an eager crowd of unfortunate ones who sought the magical touch or 
healing power of this wonder-worker. Pains were removed in head, back, limbs, 
side, &c. ; also cases of rheumatism, asthma, heart disease, deafness — one case of 
twenty years, and another of five years, the former being made to hear the ticking 
of a watch, and the other voluntarily stating to the audience, many of whom had 
long known him and his condition, that without touch he had been cured since 
entering the hall, and could now hear a whisper. A man with a cancer on his 
cheek was greatly relieved, being able to shout aloud, though on coming to the 
hall he could only half articulate or mumble. A case of defective eyesight for 
fourteen years, six of which had been passed in the Blind Asylum, was relieved in 
one operation, to such an extent that the party could distinguish across the hall. 
And so the list might be indefinitely extended, but already is this communication 
too long. 

The friends in Chelsea deserve a vote of thanks for giving the public a free 
opportunity to witness such an exhibition of the healing art — one of the phases of 
Spiritualism. The gratitude and blessing of thousands go with Doctor Newton. 

G. A. B. 



From the Portland Transcript : — 

Dr. Newton. — By a- notice in to-night's paper it will be seen that Dr. New- 
ton's stay is limited to a few more days. We can only say that the ministrations 
of this man have been scarcely less than miraculous. Hundreds have been 
raised from sickness to apparent health at a touch of his hand. We do not write 
this as a puff, at all. We are as much at fault in regard to this wonderful man as 
any member of the community. But through some agency he has done cures 
never performed to our knowledge by any other living man. 



The following letter from a grateful mother is of a later date : — 

Falmouth, Mass., March 2$th, 1869. 
Dr. J. R. Newton — Dear Sir: I feel that I must write you a few lines, to 



: THE MODERN BETHE5DA. 

express, in an imperfect manner, our gratitude to you for what you were per- 
mitted, through our Heavenly Father, to do for my daughter, Minnie Lawrence. 
Perhaps you may remember the circumstances- I took her to you the 16th of 
March. She had been almost helpless for nearly a year and a half, (that is in re- 
gard to walking,) through the effects of scarlet fever. In fifteen minutes you pro- 
nounced her cured. She is our only child, seventeen years of age, and perhaps 
you may imagine her father's feelings when he received, in a distant city, the glad 
tidings that she was cured. 

Every one pronounces it a most wonderful cure. The most faithless can but 
believe, when they see her walking our streets. We owe you a debt of gratitude 
that we can never repay. You presented her with your likeness — money could 
not buy it of her. May you long be spared to labor on in the good work in 
which you are engaged. From the depths of a full heart, 

Yours truly, MARY LAWRENCE. 



ECHOES FROM FOREIGN LANDS. l8l 



CHAPTER XIII. 

ECHOES FROM FOREIGN LANDS 

Testimony of Rev. F. R. Young, of Swindon, Eng. — He crosses the ocean to seek a cure, 
and finds it. — Enters upon " a New Phase of Existence." — Witnesses other cures, and 
describes what he saw. — Testimony of Mr. Arthur Whitten, of Calcutta. — A marvellous 
narrative. 

The work of Dr. Newton had for a long time attracted attention 
in other parts of the world besides America, and the press of differ- 
ent countries had published accounts of his wonderful achievements 
in healing disease. Many persons from abroad were attracted to 
visit the Healer — some as invalids, seeking the exercise of his re- 
markable powers in their own behalf, others as curiosity-seers, or 
seekers after truth for the benefit of mankind. 

Among the former class was the Rev. F. R. Young, a clergyman 
residing in Swindon, England, who, after his return to that country, 
published a narrative of his cure in the North Wilts Herald. This, 
slightly abbreviated, we transfer to these pages, as follows : — 

From the North Wilts Herald, Swindon, Eng. 

PARTICULARS OF MY CURE BY DR. NEWTON. 

Rose Cottage, Swindon, 

August 5, 1868. 

I had hoped to have postponed the particulars of my cure wrought in America 
to the last letter in the present series. But recent circumstances have compelled 
me to believe that it would be altogether better for the interests of truth that I 
should at once give you these particulars, and thus stop the mouths of many per- 
sons who are giving currency to all kinds of speculations, and misleading the 
public mind, as they are pretty sure to do. These are the facts, and for my state- 
ment, I need scarcely say, I pledge my word and honor. 

Friday, May 22, of the present year will forever remain one of the most mem. 
orable days of my life. It was on that day, when the sun was shining brightly and 
bathing the dear old world with its blessed light and heat, that I arrived at New- 



1 82 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

port, Rhode Island, by one of the river steamers, and first came under the heal- 
ing powers of Dr. James Rogers Newton, a name almost as well known in Amer- 
ica as that of Abraham Lincoln. I had heard of this great medium through the 
pages of the " Spiritual Magazine," Mr. and Mrs. William Howitt, and Mr. Ben- 
jamin Coleman, of Norwood, and was assured, especially by these friends, that if 
I placed myself in Dr. Newton's hands, I should be speedily and radically cured 
of the neuralgic affection in my head, from which I had been suffering since 1S57. 
The accounts of this remarkable man which had come under my notice had been 
so astonishing, and so very much resembled the accounts we have in the four 
Gospels of the miracles of our Lord, that it was not until I had become a little 
more familiar with some of the facts and phenomena of modern spiritualism that 
I came to have an assured faith in the power of Dr. Newton to remove my disease. 
But at length I attained to that state of mind, and becoming satisfied that it was 
my duty to go and see him, and place myself in his hands, I at once made arrange- 
ments for doing so. I left Liverpool for New York on May 9, and arrived at the 
latter place on the evening of May 19. After spending a day in New York, I 
embarked in one of the river boats for Newport, and on arriving there at once 
wended my way towards Dr. Newton's residence, fortified with letters of introduc- 
tion from Mr. Howitt and Mr Coleman. The Doctor's residence is a splendid 
old house, built entirely of brick, and having connected with it many associations 
of the war of the Revolution. As the sunshine of that bright May morning 
lighted up the face of the Narragansett Bay, and made the very streets of New- 
port look cheerful, it seemed like the Divine benediction falling out of the 
heavens upon the step I was taking, and as I entered the office, or, as we in 
England should call it, the surgery, of Doctor Newton, I felt a quiet confidence 
that I was in the path of duty in which God had designed that I should walk. 
The moment the Doctor and I met, I found in his benevolent face and simple 
kindly manner the human image of the outside sunshine, and but few words had 
been spoken before I was convinced that the errand upon which I had come 
would be fulfilled. I was about to give him, as was perfectly natural, a detailed 
outline of my affliction, when he stopped me at once by saying that " after I had 
been cured he would be very glad to listen to anything I might desire to say, but 
that my cure was the first thing to be attended to." He then poured several 
gallons of very hot water upon my head. After my head had been dried with 
coarse towels, I was made to sit upon a movable seat, similar to a music stool, 
the Doctor standing behind me and placing my head against his chest, with his 
two hands crossed upon my forehead. In this position he moved my head in 
various directions, until suddenly we both heard a clicking noise, issuing, as it 
seemed to me, from the top of my spine. At once the Doctor cried out, "You 
hear that : it is the sign that you will be cured, for the disturbance of the nerve 
current has been removed." He then faced me, and taking my hands in his, he 
lifted our four hands towards Heaven, and, looking me hard in the eyes, said, 
" Look at me. In the name of God, our Heavenly Father, and of the Lord Jesus 
Christ, the great Healer, I bid this disease depart from this dear suffering brother, 
and nevermore afflict him. It is gone, it is gone, it is gone for ever, my brother ; 
you are cured ; rise up on your feet." At that instant I felt a strong current of 



ECHOES FROM FOREIGN LANDS. 1 83 

new life flowing into and through every part of my body, and I was conscious that 
I had entered upon an altogether new phase of existence. From that day to the 
present hour I have been entirely free from my old pain, and have felt as well as it 
is possible for any human being to feel. Physically speaking, I am " a new creature, 
for old things have passed away and all things have become new." I can now go 
through more than double the amount of my former work, and feel no sensations 
of weariness, while I can sleep almost at any moment that I wish to do so, and 
through the entire night, whereas, before Dr. Newton's healing hands had been 
laid upon me, sleep and I had been by no means near acquaintances ; indeed, 
oftentimes, woo it as I would, it would still keep far from me. * * * * 

And now I wish to add that wonderful as my case is, it is, as far as Dr. New. 
ton is concerned, only one of thousands, for he has cured almost every form of 
disease, and removed almost every kind and degree of suffering ; in fact, he ap- 
pears to have done everything in the healing and curing way but that of raising 
the dead: And yet e-\ en he does not cure all cases with which he comes into con- 
tact, while his failures enable him to keep alive the consciousness that it is not he 
who cures, but God, who works in him and through him, " of His own good 
pleasure." He tells me that he has cured something like a quarter of a million 
people, and that he would have cured as many more if as many more had exer- 
cised the power of faith in God. Dr. Newton is an extremely simple-minded and 
most benevolent man, and gives himself none of the airs of a quack or charlatan. 
Indeed, his long experience must many a year ago have convinced him that the 
power he possesses is a delegated one, and, therefore, that it would be in the 
highest degree indecent for him to be puffed up by it, or pretend to be what he 
really is not. A very large majority of his cures are done by him without fee or 
reward of any kind. In my own case he steadily refused to receive any remuner- 
ation, although I offered him a hundred dollar bill, and I saw him act in the like 
manner towards several other patients. 

During my stay in Newport, I witnessed several instances of Dr. Newton's 
healing power, some of them being so manifest and wonderful as to defy all at- 
tempts at explaining them away by what is called "natural means." On the very 
morning when my own cure was effected, I saw him cure a poor paralytic woman, 
who for three years had been unable to walk without the aid of crutches, and 
even then only in a partial degree. This woman was brought by her parents, and 
in less than five minutes from the time when she had come under Dr. Newton's 
power, she got up from off the sofa on which she had been placed, walked away 
up the street and back again, a full mile, and afterwards walked, ran, jumped and 
danced, as so many signs that her cure was a complete one. On that very same 
morning, I also saw him cure a young man whose left hand was withered, and 
this was effected in as brief a space of time as it has taken me to write down 
these words about him. Indeed, I might have seen, day by day, and almost hour by 
hour, examples of his healing power, had I chosen to have done so. Every now 
and again there are trains freighted from Boston, Providence and the neighbor- 
hood, with the lame, the halt, and the diseased, sometimes to the number of 500 
or 600 passengers. These all come to receive benefit from Dr. Newton, and a 
large majority of them are invariably sent away perfectly cured. In one part of 



I84 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

the Doctor's office there is a room of considerable size, full of crutches, walking 
sticks, spectacles, eye-shades, bandages, and other memorials of disease and sick- 
ness, which have been left behind by patients as so many signs and trophies of 
their cure. While I was in Newport, Boston, New York and other places, I 
made searching enquiries relative to Dr. Newton and his antecedents, and all the 
replies I obtained were eminently favorable to him, while even those who still 
had lingering doubts about some of his cures, never for one moment attempted to 
cast the slightest suspicion upon him as a man. Indeed, I could not see what 
room there could be for their doing so. He is so open-hearted and child-like 
that any man who comes into contact with him must feel at once that he is deal- 
ing with an honest man, who has a deep and humble sense that he is but an 
agent in the hands of the Eternal Father to benefit his suffering brethren and 
sisters. 

And now there is one question which certain persons will no doubt put to me. 
"If what you say of Dr. Newton be true, how is it that the suffering world, of 
America at least, does not go out to him, as far as it has the opportunity of doing 
it ? " My reply is a simple, and, I would venture to add, satisfactory one. Dr. 
Newton does not cure every case which is brought to him, nor does he so much 
as attempt to do it. Now all these cases of failure are just so many stumbling 
blocks in the way of faith of those who might otherwise believe in him, while they 
are convincing proofs to me that the power he possesses is not inherent but de- 
rived. Because he fails in some cases out of — say, a thousand — therefore, for 
such is the popular inference, he cannot cure as he is said to do. The logic of 
such an argument is very pitiful indeed. Can we not recollect that when our 
Lord was on the earth, He could not do many of His mighty works because of 
the unbelief of the people, and if, in His day, and in the East, the power of such 
a Being as He was could be doubted, and by that doubt restricted, is it very won- 
derful that even Dr. Newton's power may be called in question, and thus be 
limited ? " The disciple is not above his master. It is enough for the disciple 
that he be as his master." 

Dr. Newton asked me if I had faith in his power to cure me, and my reply 
was that I had come 3,000 miles to see him, and could give him no better answer 
to his question. No doubt faith in the patient has very much to do with the 
patient's cure. And why should we "who profess and call ourselves Christians," 
and who have the four Gospels before us, be surprised at such a condition, or 
curl the lip at those who demand it? Have we not read that most beautiful and 
touching narrative in the 9th chapter of St. Mark's Gospel, which treats of the 
cure of the poor boy who had been suffering from epilepsy, and whose disease 
had at last resulted in dumbness and deafness ? When the father of the child 
appealed to our Lord, He said unto him, "If thou canst believe — all things are 
possible to him that believeth." As though our Lord had said, "The question is 
not about my ability to cure your child, but about your faith in that ability. I 
can cure him if you can believe that I can do it." I grant most freely that Christ 
sometimes cured without the faith of the patient, but this only proves not that 
faith is unnecessary, but that it is not an absolute condition. The place and 
power of faith have been so misapprehended, and, therefore, misrepresented by 



ECHOES FROM FOREIGN LANDS. 1 85 

theologians, that few people realize how simple and yet how powerful a thing it 
is. The history of the world, and especially of all great movements such as those 
commenced by Luther, George Fox, Wesley and others, attest beyond dispute 
the truth of what Christ said to the two blind men, "According to your faith be it 
unto you." I admit that when I went to America I did so fully believing that 
Dr. Newton would cure me, and I do not know that there is anything unreason- 
able in the supposition that my confidence had something to do with my cure. 

This is a true, full and particular account of the wonderful blessing which has 
come to me through the agency of Dr. Newton. * * * * 

FREDERIC ROWLAND YOUNG. 



Another visitor was Mr. Arthur Whitten, a resident of Calcutta, 
India, a tourist, who, on returning to that country, published a vol- 
ume entitled "Notes of a Tour in America and Canada, during May, 
June and July, 1869," printed at the Englishmen's Press, Calcutta, 
1870. In this work is given the following account of the author's 

VISITS TO DR. NEWTON. 

Friday, May i\th. — We drove this morning to see Dr. Newton and his 
patients " at home." The house is situated in a quiet street, and is approached 
by a flight of stone steps ; leading from the entrance hall are the patients' waiting 
room and secretary's office. When we arrived, at eleven o'clock, there were 
thirty or forty persons awaiting his or her turn to come under the Doctor's hands. 
We were conducted to the next floor above, and took our seats to watch the pro- 
ceedings. The patients were brought up by the secretary, three or four at a 
time ; when cured, a bell was rung, and others came in. Each patient was re- 
ceived with kindly words and gentleness of manner. With very few exceptions, 
they were all as perfect strangers to Dr. Newton as to us. They had come far, 
even from the Southern States, to be treated. There had been no communication 
between them beforehand ; the Doctor knew nothing of them or their ailing until 
placed before him as we saw them. In some cases, he would ask the nature of 
their complaints, and put leading questions as to their sufferings, manner of liv- 
ing, occupation, etc. But not unfrequently he would say, " You need not tell me 
what is the matter with you ; I know very well." If the case was one of lung dis- 
ease, he examined the heart and lungs ; and, by means of a short tube, a mag- 
netic current was breathed through their bodies to the point indicated by the 
Doctor's finger, the current being diverted at will from one lung to the other. The 
effect was described as being like a burning fluid passing through the heart and 
lungs. Then they were made to raise their arms, to " squat right down " — to use 
the Doctor's own words — and rise again. Then he would throw upon them the 
magnetic current from his own body, and in the name of God command the dis- 
ease to depart. 



1 86 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

Consumption makes fearful ravages among men and women in America. 
During this and subsequent visits to Dr. Newton, we witnessed the treatment of 
many persons suffering from this disease, and we remarked that almost every one 
of them admitted, on being interrogated, that they were in the habit of sleeping 
with their arms extended on the pillow above their heads ; and all were strictly 
enjoined to discontinue a practice conducive, more than any other cause, to con- 
sumption and disease of the heart. The most interesting case we saw to-day was 
the treatment of a lunatic woman. We witnessed it from first to last, and can 
vouch that, after two treatments, she was restored to a sane and cheerful woman. 
She was a respectable person, about forty years of age, accompanied by her 
sister and grown-up daughter. Some late trouble had so preyed upon her mind 
that she lost her senses ; she was not violent, but had to be carefully watched. 
Her cries and moans were most distressing. From the moment of her entrance 
she kept using the expression, " I want to be saved — I want to be saved," in a 
whining, idiotic manner ; she said nothing else. Her eyes were widely expanded, 
the eyebrows raised, the face bearing the impress of fear, or dread of some im- 
pending danger. She had been under medical treatment ; but the symptoms had 
become less favorable, and at length she was brought to Dr. Newton. He ex- 
amined her, and found her a healthy woman, and he now used all his powerful 
magnetic force to calm and soothe her. After some persuasion, she was taken 
into the adjoining room, where hot water was laid on, and her head being placed 
over a small reservoir, a stream of water gradually heated up to one hundred 
and twenty degrees was poured upon it for a period of fifteen to twenty minutes. 
It was then dried, and the magnetic process was continued until she ceased talk- 
ing so wildly. The treatment for the day was then over. She was to be taken 
home, have hot water applied three or four times to the top of her head, and be 
brought again on the morrow. The Doctor went on with other cases as fast as 
they could be brought to him, and certainly there was no failure. Whether the 
cure was permanent, we could not then, of course, determine. But as regards 
the lunatic woman, we were curious to witness the result of the treatment ; and, 
without any intimation to the Doctor of our intention, we paid him another visit 
at about the same hour on the morning of 

Saturday, \^th. — There was the usual crowd of patients — some with paralyzed 
arms, hands or feet, some deaf, some suffering with tumor, catarrh, rheumatism, 
lung disease, cancer and others perfect cripples. On one woman with a swollen 
leg, the veins black and the skin of the foot ready to burst, a cure was effected 
in five minutes. She was helped up stairs, being unable to walk alone. She 
could not bend her toes or ankle-joints ; and in less time than it takes to record 
this, she was made to walk about the room and run down stairs like a young girl. 
Her face was radiant with delight. No medicine, no hot water or any agent 
whatever was applied besides the doctor's hands. The thing was done without 
pain, too, and instantly- So with a young girl who had a tumor on her neck from 
which she had suffered for years. By a few strokes of his hand the swelling dis- 
appeared like magic, and the girl was perfectly cured. I have the names and ad- 
dresses of all the persons whose cases are referred to ; and as they are so remark- 
able, I will dot down a few others. 



ECHOES FROM FOREIGN LANDS. 1 87 

A young man of twenty-one years, paralytic from childhood, was conveyed to 
the Doctor's house, and with one treatment was made to walk without limping, 
and to hold a chair above his head — a thing he had not done in his life before. 

An unmarried lady, brought on a couch, suffering from disease of the spine, 
unable to walk for three years, was cured at once, and walked home. 

A man, lame, was cured in fifteen minutes, and walked without limping, leav- 
ing his crutch and cane behind him. 

A lady with heart disease, and bed-ridden for some years, was cured in one 
treatment, and walked away. 

A lady with large tumor was brought from her bed so low that her life was 
despaired of, and perfectly cured. 

A man with bad scrofula all over his head and body, was cured, and the skin 
made perfectly clear with one treatment. 

A girl, eleven years old, with loss of speech for two years, was cured at once. 

A girl with contracted leg was cured in five minutes. 

A man with dyspepsia and liver complaint of long standing, was cured with 
one treatment. 

A boy fifteen years of age, paralyzed eight years, the left side powerless, was 
restored to perfect health and strength with one treatment. 

A lady with cancer on her eye for fifteen years was perfectly cured with one 
treatment. 

A youth partially blind from birth was cured in one treatment to read fine 
print without-glasses. 

When the lunatic of yesterday entered, the change in her appearance was very 
marked ; her face had brightened wonderfully, the look of despair had almost left 
it, she quite understood and answered many questions put to her. She was ac- 
companied as before by her sister, daughter and a young child. The treatment 
of yesterday was repeated — powerful magnetic shocks and the application of hot 
water to the crown of the head ; and in half an hour she was a changed woman ; 
the cloud had entirely passed from her face, which shone with smiles as she took 
her young child and hugged it with a mother's fond embrace. The sight was 
very affecting ; she was quite cured. 

After an early dinner we took the cars for New Bedford, a seaport town fifty- 
five miles from Boston, where Dr. Newton was to meet all persons desiring to 
avail themselves of his healing power. The fact had been made known in the 
public journals some days previously, and when on Sunday morning we arrived 
at the City Hall, which had been placed at the Doctor's disposal for the occasion, 
we found eight or nine hundred people there, collected from the surrounding 
country, attracted by his celebrity. The proceedings commenced with an ad- 
dress or lecture from the Doctor, at the end of which he affirmed that he would 
there and then cure all persons suffering from any chronic disorder, and all so 
suffering were desired to stand up, while those whose ailments were of a more 
serious nature were to remain seated, to be afterwards treated separately, as their 
necessities required. The usual method of sending magnetic shocks to the per- 
sons standing was then gone through, and the patients so operated upon sat 
down, those in our hearing declaring they were really benefited. The Doctor 



190 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

obloquy — in some cases virulent opposition — which his benevolent 
work has encountered from members of Christian Churches. 

It is proper, therefore, that the question of the relation between 
the Gift of Healing and Modern Spiritualism should be fully and 
fairly considered in these pages. 

In the first place, it should be noted that, however common the 
exercise of the healing power has become among the people called 
modern Spiritualists, they cannot and do not claim that it originated 
with them, or that it is exclusively confined to their ranks. On the 
contrary, the evidence is abundant, as shown in the introduction to 
this volume, that this power has occasionally been exercised in 
different branches and sects of the Christian Church ever since the 
days of the Apostles, even until the present time. 

Secondly, let the fact be borne in mind, as also pointed out in 
the introduction, that the various " gifts of the spirit," including 
that of healing, were displayed most frequently and notably, both, as 
regards the Christian Church at large, and the several sects where 
those gifts have principally appeared, in the earlier days of their 
existence, while their founders have claimed to be acting under an 
immediate impulse from the invisible realm. And those gifts, too, 
have continued to be exercised for the longest periods in those 
bodies which have most constantly maintained a recognition of ever- 
present spiritual agencies ; while they have declined in proportion 
as sects have relapsed into dependence on forms, creeds, and " his- 
torical evidences." 

These facts have most important significance bearing on the 
question in hand. And their meaning will become still more 
apparent when we consider a further fact, to wit : — 

Thirdly, that the possession and exercise of this healing power 
has not been by any means confined to the nominal Christian Church 
or any of its various branches. 7/ has existed outside of the Church, 
i?i the so-called heathen world, not o?ily since, but long before the advent 
of Jesus. 

Ample evidence on this point might be cited from various sources, 
but it will suffice our purpose to present a few passages from the 
competent authority before quoted, namely, Howitfs History of the 
Supernatural. 

In China. — " Kircher and the other early missionaries relate, that though 



THE GIFT OF HEALING AND MODERN SPIRITUALISM. I9I 

this faith " [in the presence and power of spirits] " had degenerated into some- 
thing more like demonology than anything divine, it still existed in all its strength ; 
that from the earliest times sickness had been acred by the laving on of hands, by 
breathing on the affected spot, and by other like means. Osbeck and Torceno, in 
their journey to the East Indies and China in 1765, declare that it had always 
been customary to strengthen weak, sickly, and exhausted persons, by meaiis of a 
gentle pressure of the hands on various parts of the body." — Vol. 1, p. 322-3. 

In Ancient Greece. — " The temples of Greece were the great therapeutic 
halls of the nation. As the gods gave them knowledge of future events, so they 
believed they exerted their divine powers to heal the diseases and remove the 
sufferings of men. Those who, like ./Esculapius, became celebrated for their 
healing powers, were elevated to the rank of gods, and had temples erected to 
them, whither the sick flocked in crowds for relief. This system, as well as the 
mythology of Greece, was brought from Egypt, where the priests were the 
physicians, and, as it now appears, practiced mesmeric and magnetic science for the 
cure of diseases." — lb. p. 367. 

In Ancient Egypt. — " Amongst the paintings in their temples are the figures 
of priests in the attitude of making mesmeric passes, and others of patients under 
manipulation, or thrown into the magnetic sleep. Not only were bronze hands 
found in the temples, with the fingers in the form for manipulating (see Mont- 
faugon), but these were carried in the festivals of Isis. Anubis is seen leaning in 
the sacred pictures over the bed of the sick, and putting his hands upon them. 
The patient is variously seen, in the sleep, as awaking and arising. A French 
author, in the 'Annalen der Magnetisme Animal,' has shown fully the mesmeric 
nature of these Egyptian representatives. 'Magnetism,' he says, '-was daily 
practiced in the temples of Isis, Osiris, and Serapis.' And this is borne out by all 
the ancient historians who visited Egypt." — p. 302. 

In Ancient Rome. — " According to Livy, Hygeia, Isis, Minerva, Mercury, 
and Hercules, besides Jove and yEsculapius, were worshipped 'as healing gods- 
What is now called mesmerism was everyday practice in these temples. ' Un- 
questionably,' says Kluge, ' was the manipulation with strong contact, rubbing and 
stroking with hands, the oldest and most general of all manipulations.' " — p. 372. 

After giving, from the Roman historian Tacitus, an account of 
the miraculous healing of a blind man and a paralytic by the 
Emperor Vespasian, our author adds : — 

" I may here state that not Vespasian alone amongst the Roman emperors, 
but Constantine and Hadrian possessed the gift of healing by laying on of 'their hands, 
and Pyrrhus, King of Epirus, could cure affections of the spleen by passing his 
foot over the sufferers as they lay prostrate." — p. 389. 

01 Apollonius, of Tyana, in Asia Minor, born about the same 

time as Jesus Christ, we are told : — 

" Wherever he went, he incited to purity, to prayer, and morality ; he cured 
the most dangerous diseases, and predicted future events. He cured all kinds of 
diseases by precisely mesmeric means." — pp. 472-3. 



192 THE MODERN" BETHE5DA. 

Plotd" z Alexandrian Neo-Piatonist, taught that 

•' We may regard the minas e as filled - . tits and as sated bj -em. 
To this community of spit .5 .__::. surrounds us in manifold forms, man 
oner'/" arrive ": _ jeH from the outward sensual attractions 

Tiaeiice such community is obtained 2 \ " " wiudi is generally the work : 
jr. E inns possessed this community, and from it drew all his power 

t Eg mast dcemgarwrns and obtained an amazing reputation by 

foretelling :-rore events, and performing superhuman acts — ~ _". 

Jamblichtts, another of the Xeo-Platonists, 

' Was so famous for naing and his powers of healing by spirit-influence, 

that Cunapiur styled him tkaumasian — worthy of adm ir ation, and Proclus tkeion, 
or divine." — p. 4- 8 

To these historical testimonies we will only add that an obser- 
vant modern traveller has found the practice of healing by the lay- 
ing on of hands and equivalent processes, accompanied by more 
or less recognition of superhuman aid, to be common at the present 
day among the natives of Australia, the Fijii Islands, China, and 
Constantinople. [See Around the World,'" by J. M. Peebles 

(Boston. ::- : pag^ 19* ir 9> *75 and 37 6 -] 

It is thus evident that this healing power is monopolized by no 
sect or church, limited to no age or country. It is a boon to 

- srsal humanity, n I .ill wh: 

and the faith which enable them to comply with the conditions on which 
it is dispensed. 

Let us see if we can learn what those conditions are. 

It is plain that there is one element of similarity* or identity 
traceable through all these instances of supposed miraculous heal- 
in2:, whether ancient or modern, whether occurrina- under orthodox 
Christian, heretical, or pagan auspices. That element is Faith. 
On the part of either the healer or the healed, sometimes both, there 
has been faith in a superior benignant Jr ■ that compassionates 
hum: fering, and is able and willing to remove it. under certain 
(doubtless necessary conditions. 

\ I : " this superior Power has been variously conceived of by 
various people — naturally and necessarily so, in consequence of the 
varied beliefs in which the people of different sects, religions, and 
countries have been educated. The Sou .'.;:: Islanders and the 
lese [inessing the beneficent effects of this superhuman 
agency, naturally attril - if I : the benign spirits of their ancestors 



THE GIFT OF HEALING AND MODERN SPIRITUALISM. 1 93 

hovering around them. The ancient Greeks, Egyptians, and Romans 
recognized in this Power the kindly condescension of one or another 
of their many apotheosized deities, as Jove, Isis, ^Esculapius, 
Hygeia, &c. Plotinus felt conscious of being in unity with a vast 
" community of spirits," who wrought wonders of goodness through 
him. The Mohammedan is sure that it is the almighty Allah who 
displays his goodness to the faithful ; while the Christian is no less 
confident that it is Jesus, the great Healer of Judea, who is per- 
sonally present in his behalf, or at least that the marvellous healing 
power exhibited must proceed direct from the Christian God, the 
Universal Father. 

Without stopping here to inquire which of these believers is 
nearest right, or farthest wrong, in his conception, it is apparent, 
from the evidences on record, that the beneficent Healing Power 
has descended, in some degree, on each and all. The one common 
element of Faith, it would seem, has potency to open the channel 
through which the Curative Energy flows forth to heal and bless 
humanity. 

Passing for the present a full analysis of the nature and power 
of faith as a curative agent, all can see that this is highly requisite on 
the part of a healer, in so far as he is a medium for the transmission 
of power from sources beyond himself. If he has not faith, he will 
not attempt to exercise the gift. Faith is very desirable, for the 
best success, on the part of the sufferer also, or of some one in 
sympathy with the sufferer, as repeatedly illustrated in the facts 
given in this book, and in the history of Jesus, whose power was 
said to be curtailed by unbelief. And in cases where no visible 
healer or medium has been employed, but the power has come 
direct from the invisible world (as in several instances narrated in 
our introduction), the strongest exercise of faith in an unseen 
agency, on the part of the sufferer, has been indispensable. 

In the light of all these facts, we are now fully prepared to 
answer the question, what relation is there between the Gift of 
Healing and Modern Spiritualism ? 

Just this : Modern Spiritualism — whatever error's and follies 
have been associated with it, and they have doubtless been many — 
has brought to its adherents a vivid conviction or realization of the 



194 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

presence and beneficent power of the spiritual world. It has broken 
through the wall of doubt and unbelief which the Protestant Church, 
in conjunction with infidel philosophers and mole-eyed materialists, 
have built up against the invisible realm. It has thus caused a 
wide-spread revival of that faith in unseen beneficent powers which 
is essential to the vigorous display of this healing potency. 

The Christian Church, in general, or any one of its numerous 
sects, unquestionably might have enjoyed the revival of this its 
ancient gift, to an equal degree, had it presented equally favorable 
conditions; or, rather, the Church evidently would never have lost 
the exercise of this and other " gifts of the spirit," enjoyed in its 
primitive days, but for its lt unbelief " and its many corruptions. 

But this point, of the connection between the revival of the gift 
of healing and Modern Spiritualism, is well illustrated by the 
following incident, for the truth of which the writer can vouch : — 

" In the early days of Modern Spiritualism, when healing by the laying on of 
hands or by spiritual intervention, had been scarcely heard of, a gentleman and 
lady, in full communion with one of the so-called orthodox churches in the city of 

B , had their attention enlisted in the subject of spirit-communion or angelic 

ministry, chiefly through strange occurrences taking place in the seclusion of their 
own home. The lady herself became conscious of the ability at times, to see and 
converse with the beings of another world, and her hand was sometimes controlled 
by a power beyond herself, to write messages purporting to come from departed 
friends. 

"Before their convictions were fully established as to the nature and source 
of these singular occurrences, they one day received a visit from an old friend, 
from whom they had been separated since their school days, and who in the mean 
time had completed his collegiate and other preparatory studies, and had become 
a clergyman of the same faith with themselves. 

" In the presence of such a guest, the lady naturally felt timid in regard to the 
occurrence of any of the strange phenomena referred to, and supposing the 
subject would not be agreeable to one of his profession, resolved that Spiritualism 
should not be mentioned during his stay, if in her power to prevent it. 

" In the evening, while all were engaged in conversation — the lady being 
occupied with her needle, an infant lying beside her in a crib, and an older child, 
about five years of age, lying upon a couch, quite ill — the lady's right hand began 
to move involuntarily and beyond her power of control. This she understood as 
an intimation that some invisible person desired to write through her instru- 
mentality ; but, for the reason already mentioned, she was unwilling to comply. 
To disguise this movement, she took up the infant's rattle, and for a moment 
pretended to be amusing the child. But this would not do ; the toy was thrown 
forcibly from her hand by this strange power, and she was impelled to speak. 



THE GIFT OF HEALING AND MODERN SPIRITUALISM. I95 

" ' Do you know anything of Spiritualism ? ' she abruptly asked her guest. 

" ' I have heard something of the marvels said to occur,' he replied, ' but have 
never witnessed any of them.' 

" ' Are you afraid of it ? ' she asked. 

" ' Oh, no. If there is any truth in it, I should like to know it,' he said. 

" ' Well,' she continued, ' I am desired to say to you that I see a spirit now 
standing here, who wishes to be recognized by you. He is an elderly gentleman, 
with gray hair, and resembles your father, only he looks to be much older than your 
father was when I last saw him.' (She had known the clergyman's father in 
former years, but he had gone to a foreign country since she had seen him.) ' Is 
your father deceased ? ' she inquired. 

" ' He was living at my last information,' was the reply. 

"' Your grandfather ! He says he is your grandfather,'' she was impelled to 
say, with emphasis, by a force evidently beyond herself. 

" ' My grandfather lived and died in Scotland, many years ago,' said the clergy- 
man. 'I have never seen him since I was a young boy. But if this is my grand- 
father, will he please to give his name ? ' 

" The lady's hand immediately seized a pencil and wrote ' James,' to her great 
surprise, as it was a matter of which she had no previous knowledge. 

"'That is correct,' said the clergyman, now thoroughly interested ; and he 
proceeded to ask other questions and to hold a long interview, through the lady's 
mediumship, with this unexpected visitor, — the result of which was, he became 
deeply impressed with the conviction that he was actually conversing with a 
denizen of another and brighter world — one who appeared to be intimately ac- 
quainted with all his past career, his trials and his triumphs, claiming to have 
ever watched over him as a special guardian from his youth. 

" In the course of this strange interview some reference was made to the gift 
of healing and other gifts of the spirit enjoyed in the primitive Christian Church, 
when the lady's husband remarked that he had been querying of late as to why 
those gifts had ceased, since there was no intimation in the New Testament but 
that they were always to ' follow them that believe.' 

" Instantly the heavenly visitor (for such, all, by this time, felt him to be, from 
the elevating character of his discourse) took up the theme, and in the most em- 
phatic manner declared that those gifts were the heritage of believers for all time, 
and that nothing but the want of the right kind of faith, and the various corrup- 
tions of the Church, had caused their cessation. ' Yes,' he added, with the dig- 
nity and emphasis of a teacher who knew whereof he affirmed (using the lady's 
vocal organs in a manner that astonished her as well as the others), ' the power of 
healing by the laying on of hands is yours to-day, if you but have faith to exercise it ! ' 

"As these words were spoken, the lady was moved by a powerful internal 
impulse to rise from her seat, cross the room to where the sick child lay, place 
her hands upon it, and breathe an invocation that it might be healed. 

"This over, the influence was withdrawn, and the lady resumed her seat. 
Nothing like this had ever been witnessed before by any one present, and a feel- 
ing of wonder and awe fell upon them. Could it be that the age of angel's visits 
and of miraculous cures had returned ? The sick child was quiet and inclined 



I96 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

to sleep, and, after the usual family devotions, which were engaged in, as may be 
supposed, with unwonted fervor, all retired, deeply impressed with the events of 
the evening. 

" It should be stated that the sick child spcken of had been ailing for two or 
three days previously, from some cause not understood ; but not until this even- 
ing, about the time of the guest's arrival, had the mother thought it necessary to 
call a physician. And then, as the family physician lived at a considerable dis- 
tance away, it was decided to postpone summoning him till morning. Accord- 
ingly, early the next morning a messenger was despatched for the doctor, without 
taking any special note of the child's condition. In due time he came, but noth- 
ing was said to him of the occurrences of the previous evening. He proceeded 
to make a very careful diagnosis of the young patient, and at length turned to the 
mother, with a somewhat puzzled expression, saying, ' Your child, madam, has 
the indications of having had a severe attack of rheumatic fever, but in some way 
the fever has been broken and has left her ; she needs no medicine, only some 
nourishment, and will soon be well.' He left, making no prescription, and in a 
few hours the child was playing about the house as usual." 

This mother, subsequently, under tuition from the invisible 
world, continued successfully to exercise this healing gift in her own 
family, and at length to some extent among her neighbors. Her 
husband, also, did the same, and was instrumental in effecting a 
number of remarkable cures. 

It is not surprising that persons called to participate in such 
scenes and experiences as these should become not only firm be- 
lievers in angelic ministration, but also in the restoration of the spirit- 
ual gifts of ancient times. And similar experiences have been by 
no means uncommon, at least among those who have been privi- 
leged to realize the higher phases of this modern spiritual outpouring. 
Among such it was but natural that Dr. Newton and other healers, 
as they have appeared, should find ready credence and sympathy. 

Since the modern Church in general has refused to welcome these 
angel visitors, — joining hands either with blind materialism in deny- 
ing their reality, or with pharisaic bigotry in denouncing them indis- 
criminately as " devils," — the Church has of course failed to receive 
the " gifts " they have brought. They " came unto their own, and 
their own received them not." It is no wonder, then, that, like 
the early apostles, they have " turned to the gentiles " — to those 
without the pale of the church — who have " received them gladly." 

It may still be urged, that, " If this healing power is from God, 



THE GIFT OF HEALING AND MODERN SPIRITUALISM. 1 97 

as Dr. Newton has claimed, then it cannot be from spirits, and has 
nothing to do with Spiritualism. Or, if from spirits, then it is not 
of God." 

To this it may be replied, that the term God, in its best and 
broadest sense, must include in its meaning the all-pervading Life- 
Force or Spiritual Energy of the universe. Any conception of God 
less than this is surely not worthy to be cherished by intelligent 
Christians to-day. Some unusual measure of this subtle energy or 
Life-Force (by whatever name it may be called) appears to be con- 
centrated in or ministered through the organism of the gifted healer. 
This is proved by the results in overcoming disease. Invisible 
beings (angels or ministering spirits) may, for aught any of us know, 
be the agents by whom this energy is supplied to the healer, or, in 
some cases, directly to the sufferer. Many healers, like Dr. New- 
ton, are made conscious, through their own quickened perceptions, 
that this is the fact in their cases. (See Dr. N.'s testimony in point 
in Chapter IX., and again Chapter XV.) Others, perhaps, may be 
unconscious of such angelic aid, and hence may conceive the power 
they impart to be wholly from and of themselves. But this un- 
consciousness does not invalidate the positive consciousness of 
others.* 

It is, however, not an un-Christian idea, that all good 'is of God, 
— that He is the inmost Life, the vitalizing Power, the Healing 
Energy, and, in fact, the impulse to bless, in all things and all beings 
where these exist. For " God is Love," and Love is the inmost of 
Life. It is Love, or God, in the hearts of angels and men that 
prompts to deeds of mercy. Without His vitalizing presence, in 
some degree, no healing virtue can exist. True medicines and 
healers, visible and invisible, are but means or vehicles to convey 
the Divine Potency. No doubt, the more elevated and refined the 
vehicle, or the higher the tone of spirituality in the healer, the more 
refined and potential is the curative force transmitted. Said one 
anciently, " the works themselves that I do bear witness of me that 

* No doubt some amount of healing influence (commonly termed "magnetism " or " mesmer- 
ism ") may be imparted from any healthy, kindly-disposed and rightly-adapted person to one who 
is diseased, without the special intervention of invisible beings. But when such a volume of 
curative energy is dispensed, with no sense of exhaustion, as in the case of noted healers, there is 
evidence of a source of supply beyond themselves. In Chap. XVII. (last selection) will be found 
the testimony of an experienced mesmerist bearing on this point. 



I98 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

The Father hath sent me." The same works in our day un- 
doubtedly bear the same witness. 

Some may imagine that the only proper occupation of glorified 
human spirits is to sit " around the throne," play on " harps of 
gold," and sing " alleluiahs to the Lamb "forever. Whatever may 
be tne case with selfish, indolent souls in the other life, it seems 
more probable that those in whom the Divine Love, as an active, 
blessing principle, has become really embodied, and who have 
imbibed any portion of that benevolent spirit which impelled the 
Nazarene to " go about doing good," will find equally attractive 
employment, for a part of their time at least, in ministering to the 
needs and seeking to assuage the sufferings of their human kindred 
still struggling in this " vale of tears." Are not the angels " all 
ministering spirits? " (Heb. i. 14.) And are not our human kin, 
when "raised" in the other world, "equal unto" and " as the 
angels " (Luke xx. 36. Mar. xii. 25), and hence engaged in like 
employments ? * 

We close this Chapter with the following incident related by 
Dr. Newton, illustrative, first, of the method by which he is made 
aware of the presence and aid of spiritual helpers in his work (/. e., 
by seeing, hearing, and doubtless feeling them at hand) ; and, 
secondly, of the fact that other motives than mere benevolence 
sometimes impel excarnated human beings to take an interest in 
this work — as, for example, the laudable desire to make amends 
for their own misdeeds while in the body. 

" While I was practicing in Columbus, Ohio," says Dr. N., " one 
Sunday morning, as my secretary and myself were sitting alone, a 
young man came in, and asked me if I could cure catarrh. I told 
him I could, and bade him come to me, when I placed my hand 
upon his head, and, with closed eyes, manipulated for the catarrh 
a moment. Then I said, ' you are all right ; your catarrh has left 
you.' ' 1 wish you would do that again,' said he ; 'I feel so much 
better.' I repeated the treatment, and he was cured. 

* Both Jesus and Paul appear to have taught (on some occasions, at least) that " the dead " 
are not to lie slumbering in the ground until some future indefinite day when they are to be raised, 
as is supposed by many ; but that they " are raised," /. c, immediately after the death of their 
bodies. Jesus proved this to the Sadducees of his time by citing the cases of Abraham, Isaac and 
Jacob, whom Moses showed to be "living "in his time —that is, they had been raised (Luke 
xx. 36). Paul seems to assert the same general truth in i Cor. xv., affirming that, when raised, the 
dead " come " in spiritual, not natural (i. e., physical) bodies. 



THE GIFT OF HEALING AND MODERN SPIRITUALISM. 1 99 

" Said I, ' Now I will tell you what I have seen. The first time 
I touched you, I saw a spirit, like a shadow, about five feet ten in 
height, standing at your side, with his hand up to his head. The 
second time, I saw the same spirit standing at a desk, showing me 
that he was a schoolmaster. He seemed to wish me to say to you 
that he was the cause of all your troubles — that he had struck you 
on the head with a ruler while partially intoxicated, and is very glad 
of this opportunity to ask your forgiveness. Do you forgive him.' 
' Yes, ' said he, ' and all that you have said is true. I was struck 
on the head with a ruler, and lay thirteen days insensible, and after- 
ward had this discharge from my head. But I did not know the 
man was dead.' I assured him that this was the fact, but told him 
(for his own satisfaction) to ascertain for himself. The following 
week he came again to my rooms, and said he had just heard through 
his father that his former teacher had been dead six months." 



200 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 



CHAPTER XV. 

THE OLD CRY — " HE HATH A DEVIL ! " 

Mistake of Sectarian Zealots. — Jewish Exclusiveness. — Example of Peter. — The Healing 
Power no Respecter of Persons or Churches. — Modern Cures attributed to the Devil. — 
Attempt to " cast out" of the Church one who was Healed. — Speech of his Wife. — 
The Result. — A Suffering Woman refuses to be cured by " Satan." — Remarks by Dr. 
Newton. — Judge M. silences Himself — Source of the Healing Power. — Conscious 
Ministry of Spirits. — The Promises of Jesus. — How to obtain the Healing Power. — 
Religious Bigotry and Hostility giving way. — Darkness receding. — The Apostolic Age 
returning. 

Nothing is more common, or perhaps more natural, than that 
zealous sectarians, of any communion, should imagine that they 
alone have the truth, and hence they alone are the special favorites 
of the Almighty ; and they very logically (as it seems to them) 
conclude that if the Almighty has any favors to dispense, they, or 
their communion, will be exclusive recipients thereof. From 
whence it as logically follows, in their minds, that if any seemingly 
supernatural gifts or miraculous interpositions are granted to those 
not of their faith, such gifts of interpositions must be either delu- 
sions, or works of the adversary of all good. 

In this manner reasoned the orthodox Jews of old, saying of 
the innovating Nazarene, when he impiously gave sight to a poor 
blind man on the sabbath day, " This man is not from God, be- 
cause he keeps not the sabbath ; " * and again, on another occa- 
sion, " He casts out devils by Beelzebub, the prince of devils." f 

The great error of such reasoners is their narrowness. God's 
truth is much broader and more comprehensive than their con- 
tracted minds have conceived. They would do well to learn a 
lesson from the experience of the apostle Peter, who was by edu- 
cation so thoroughly imbued with Jewish exclusiveness that after 
years of association the Great Teacher and even after the baptism 

* John ix. 19. t Luke xi. 15. 



THE OLD CRY — "HE HATH A DEVIL. 201 

of the day of Pentecost, he still continued to believe that none but 
Jews could be recipients of Divine favor or sharers in the blessings 
of the new gospel. Thirteen years after the delivery of the com- 
mand, " Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every 
creature," it required a series of special interpositions, including 
visions of a remarkable character, to overcome this apostle's exclu- 
siveness, and enable him to exclaim, as he did at last in the 
house of the Roman centurion at Caesarea, " Of a truth I perceive 
that God is not a respecter of persons ; but in every nation he that 
fears him, and works righteousness is acceptable to him." * 

In the same spirit, and in view of the abundant proofs that have 
been cited of the display of a seemingly miraculous healing power 
in various ages and nations of the world, we may now exclaim, of 
a truth, this healing energy is no respecter of persons or of 
churches, but in every nation, Jewish, Christian or heathen, they 
who possess the requisite faith, and comply with the necessary con- 
ditons, may receive the blessing ! 

But as in ancient Judea, so in modern America, there have not 
been wanting those who, while obliged to confess the reality of the 
"works " performed, have still alleged that they must proceed from 
His Satanic Majesty, solely because they were not wrought through 
what were deemed orthodox instruments. An incident or two of 
this class, connected with the labors of Dr. Newton, will be put on 
record. 

" Early one morning, while Dr. Newton was in Hartford," says a narrator, 
" among the throng of about one hundred patients awaiting their turn to be 
cured, was one who attracted more than usual notice — a Mr. Perry M. Peckham, 
of Gilead, Conn. He was barely able to hobble in on crutches. He had been 
ill and almost helpless from rheumatism for seven years. He was attended by his 
wife, and followed by a large number of persons, who wished to see the cure per- 
formed. In ten minutes his limbs were as supple as ever ; he walked and ran, 
to the intense astonishment of all present. It was an affecting scene. Tears of 
joy filled every eye. 

" He left his crutches and returned home. A few weeks after, he paid Dr. N. 
another visit, and stated that when he returned home, and the news of his res- 
toration got abroad, the excitement in the town was intense. The officers of the 
church of which he was a member called a special meeting, and he was charged 
with having had a miracle performed upon him. They declared that Dr. New- 
ton's power was of the Devil, and that he (Mr. P.), by being so healed, was 

* Acts x. 34, 35. 



202 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

bringing infidelity into the church; they proposed, therefore, to consider the 
question of his expulsion therefrom. 

" After the reading of the charges, and some discussion among the members, 
Mrs Peckham arose, and spoke, closing with the caustic remark, ' If any of you 
had had a member of your family a cripple for seven years, and had seen him suf- 
fer constant pain, and had him to wait upon as I have done, you wouldn't mind 
if it was the Devil that cured him ! ' 

" After some further consultation, it was decided that they might remain in 
the church ! " 

The following melancholy instance of sectarian fanaticism is 
abbreviated from the Banner of Light, Boston, 1870 : — 

" Having wrought a cure on an invalid lady, residing a few miles from 
Boston, who had been confined to her bed for sixteen years, Dr. J. R. Newton 
learned from her of a neighbor who had been afflicted in like manner for many 
years, and was impressed to declare at once that he could cure her. He sent 
word to her to that effect, adding that he would go out to her residence at a cer- 
tain time, bearing his own expenses and charging her nothing for his service. 
The woman received the message from the Doctor, and of course was impressed 
by the truthfulness of it, for she lost no time in declaring her own belief in his 
ability to cure her. Instead of feeling that gratitude, however, which was to be 
expected under any circumstances, she suddenly turned upon her proposed de- 
liverer and berated him in such language as she would apply to a cheat and 
impostor. [ In reply to his benevolent proposal she addressed him a letter, of 
which the following is a copy, omitting the writer's name : ] 

" Dr. J. R. Newton — Sir : I understand that you have been spoken to about 
me. I do not approve of your way of treatment. I would not let you cure me. 
I read my precious Bible. I am fully satisfied that the power you have is of the 
Devil — he the agent, you the instrument. I do not doubt your power or ability 
to do these cures, for Satan had the power to make Job sick ; he gives you this 
power to make them well. I am a follower of Jesus, and conscientiously, and 
could not ; neither will I throw my influence on the side of the Devil. No ; I 
will lie and suffer as many more years as I have, and die at last, rather than be 
cured by you. 

" I shall not offer any excuse for this plain letter to a stranger, but pray God 
will open your eyes and let you see the awful blasphemy, lest you be smitten like 
Herod of old. To obey Christ is glory ; to obey Satan is hell-torment and mis- 
ery forever. J. B." 

That conscientious firmness which prefers to suffer rather than 
consent to what is believed to be wrong, cannot be too much ad- 
mired ; but the spiritual blindness which can see only " Satan " in 
such works of mercy as Dr. Newton performs is greatly to be de- 
plored. Those who are afflicted with this obscurity of vision would 
do well to carefully read and inwardly digest the remarks of Jesus 



THE OLD CRY " HE HATH A DEVIL. 2C>3 

to the Pharisees, who were troubled with the same blindness, as re- 
corded in Matt. xii. He reminds them that " a tree is known by 
its fruits" and more than intimates that the error of attributing 
deeds of kindness to " Satan " and " Beelzebub " is " blasphemy 
against the Holy Spine," which "shall not be forgiven unto men." 
If Jesus was right, then the "blasphemy" in the above case was 
evidently on the side of the unfortunate sufferer, instead of Dr. N., 
who would gladly have relieved her ; and she no doubt suffered 
the full penalty of her mistake. In relation to the above, Dr. New- 
ton writes : 

" Many similar instances might be produced, to show the bigotry and prejudice 
of the human mind, and the principal source and malignant spirit of the opposition 
I have encountered in my practice. While so-called Christians worship their 
Bible and their Christ, they reject some of the most important and practical of 
his teachings. And of those who dare take him at his word, and exercise the 
power he delegated to all who believe on him, by doing the works that he did, 
they say, as was said of him, ' He hath a devil.' 

" Judge M , of Boston, once called at my office to witness some of my 

operations in healing. After seeing some cures wrought of a remarkable char- 
acter, he said : ' I have seen enough to convince me of the existence of the heal- 
ing power; but I believe it is the power of the Devil. I can account for these 
miraculous cures in no other way. Now, I will open the Bible, and I think I shall 
be directed to a passage that will throw some light on this mystery.' And, taking 
a Bible from a table near by, he opened and read aloud the first passage that his 
eyes fell upon : • No man can do these things except God be with him.' The 
Judge said no more. He had silenced himself. I repeat it, ' No man can do 
these things except God be with him ' — God, the great source of power, our 
life and our everlasting strength. I am aware that I often draw upon myself 
obloquy and ridicule by maintaining this truth, and by acknowledging the aid of 
angels and spirits. But I should be false to myself and the great truth which 
I represent, did I do otherwise. All power is from God. May not the power 
come through the agency of glorified spirits ? May not the heavenly hosts, as 
did the angels that ministered to Jesus in the wilderness, giving him peace and 
comfort, and power to battle with his enemies, impart to us power and strength 
for our work ? Mortals do not cease their labors when they leave the earthly 
for the higher life ; and I believe an important part of their labor is confined to 
the earth, in giving comfort to the heavy-laden, and in aiding us physically, mor- 
ally, and intellectually. In the midst of my greatest labors, although continually 
giving off life-force and strength from my own body, evening finds me as fresh 
and free from fatigue as at the beginning of the day's work. Hence I am often 
asked, ' Whence comes this power that seems to increase with the giving ? ' and 
I answer, ' From the heavenly world.' I am often conscious of the ministry of 
angels, not only in cheering and comforting me mentally, but in aiding and 



2-4 THE MODERN BETHE5DA. 

strengthening me bodily. Thus they work on me, and through me upon others. 
The peculiarity of my organism renders me a suitable avenue through which 
the unseen forces can impart their power when needed. I am negative to their 
influences, and hence receive them readily ; yet, in imparting to others, I am 
positive and determined- Thus I receive and impart quickly, and hence those 
instantaneous cures that have distinguished my long practice. I am almost al- 
ays so powerfully charged with magnetic power that it can be distinctly felt like 
a cool breeze above my head. It also emanates from all parts of my body, en- 
veloping me in an atmosphere peculiarly invigorating and elevating. This, 
together with my extraordinary vital and recuperative power, prevents me from 
taking on disease, and keeps me in perfect health and in constant working con- 
dition. 

■* Thus I am conscious, in my daily life and labor, of the presence of a higher 
power, working in and through me for the relief of others. I know, too, that this 
power is identical with that possessed by Jesus and other healers of ancient 
time, and that it is the gift promised to all who believe on him. 

'• My whole knowledge of healing I gained from the New Testament teach- 
ir.rs. ' "r.tr. Jesus iisiivtrti : -t : i^tr. a; :rt art :: a': : a: rrrirry years. h:s mis- 
si;- ^as htalir.; mt s::k : ar.i :: :iois :iae rtmair. itr ::' iais life^ai Largely lev: red. 
71:5 y ;vrer Lat premised . : ::iatrs. :r. his mtm:rar.Le ^:rrLs. ' TLat -r:rL-:s :r.a: I 
V " t sLaaLL i: a'.s: : ar.d rrtartr. reiause I r: :: my Fatiuer."— :.. '/ tvidtr.tLy 
signifying the healing of disease, and not merely teaching the people, as is com- 
mir.'.T tauiya: in :.t idard.ts H: as: said: ' TLatse sigr.s siuaLL fiLL:^ daern 
that believe * * * they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.' * 
And one of his apostles wrote, ' Is any sick among you, let him call for the elders 
of the church ; and let them pray over him; anointing him with oil in the name 
of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise 
him up.' f How rarely, if ever, is this practiced by professing Christians ! 

" In connection with the works which he had done, the chief of which were 
works of healing, he says : ' Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, 
— words which all Christians prize, and which for a period of eighteen hundred 
years, have been the solace of believers. His promises go hand in hand, linked 
together for our acceptance. The prayers of faith for our moral and spiritual 
rr: "•:".-. art ar.S'trtd s: :rt yraytrs :: :ai:r. sr.ad save :"ae s::k 

"To the mind not warped by preconceived opinion, it is evident that Jesus 
addressed himself to humanity in general, in that and in all coming time, and 
that the power of healing has not been lost ; and might be more widely practiced 
than it is. I sincerely believe that if we live pure and holy lives, the power of 
healing will be the sure result, if we have faith and desire it — developed, of course, 
to a degree in proportion to a person's adaptability to that particular calling. As 
some excel in painting, music, or mechanical arts, so some possess this spiritual 
gift to an extraordinary degree, while all no doubt possess it to some extent. 

u Although, as I have observed, the greater part of the opposition I have en- 
countered has proceeded from the church, and those professing a belief in the 

* Mark xvii. 17-18. A James ▼. 14. 



THE OLD CRY — " HE HATH A DEVIL. 2C>5 

Bible, yet thousands and tens of thousands, both individually and collectively, as 
churches and societies, have given me their support, and are true believers in the 
gift of healing. Thus the world is becoming liberalized and enlightened. Since 
the commencement of my practice, there has been a great revolution in public 
sentiment. There is less bigotry and more intelligence on subjects of great prac- 
tical importance. Books have been written, ably setting forth these truths, ex- 
plaining the healing 'power, and enlightening the darkened understanding. I 
have travelled through the length and breadth of my own country and in Europe, 
both that the poor might have the benefit of this power, in restored health and 
happiness, and that the reality of healing might be established beyond the reach 
of successful contradiction. Other healers have arisen, and thus the truth goes 
on triumphantly. 

" Although I have met with more or less opposition, having suffered the 
alienation of friends and relations, the derision of enemies of the truth, yea, all 
but death itself, yet I feel thankful to bear in my experience and life some evi- 
dences of the struggle into existence of so great and important a truth as healing 
the sick by laying on of hands. I foresaw this opposition when, in 1857, before 
any healer had publicly entered the field, I went forth alone upon my mission. 
Angels have borne me up, and I have been elevated in spirit, even beneath the 
weight of the cross. My opponents constitute but a small minority in the num- 
ber of those who have seen and heard of this great power ; so that the grateful 
remembrance of hundreds of thousands whom I have saved or benefited, as well 
as a consciousness of right doing, is to me sufficient recompense. If I desire a 
higher reward, it will come hereafter when my work is finished. 

" For healers in the future the way will be easier. They will not be consid- 
ered suitable subjects for the lunatic asylum or the gallows. The eyes of the 
spiritually blind are being unsealed, and in the light of the new truths now dawn- 
ing on the earth, all must ere long be led to apply to their own lives and practice 
the long rejected teachings of Jesus. Through the receding mists of long ages 
of ignorance and darkness, I seem to see the good old apostolic ages coming 
again, when religious teachers shall add to their preaching and exhortation the 
great and wonderful gift of healing the sick by the laying on of hands." 



206 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

THE HEALER IN EUROPE. 

First Visit a Disappointment. — Second Visit in 1870. — Arrival in Liverpool. — Performs 
Cures. — Reception in London. — Address of Welcome. — Speeches by Messrs. Coleman, 
Shorter, Tebb, Peebles, and Hall. — Commences to heal in Cavendish Rooms and Cam- 
bridge Hall. — List of Remarkable Cures. — Sermon by Rev. Dr. Burns. — t; Who is Dr. 
Burns ? " — His Chapel offered to Dr. Newton. — Cures performed there. — Opposition 
and Criticism. — Dr. Burns' Defence. — Application of " Muscular Christianity." — Ad- 
ditional Cures. — A Hint to Benefit Societies. — Quaint Scenes. — Testimony of two 
Ladies. — A Visit to Dr. Newton. — Paralysis Cured. — Gratitude Expressed. — " The 
Blind Receive Sight."—" The Lame Walk." 

Dr. Newton had for some years felt a strong desire to visit 
Europe, for the purpose of exercising the healing gift upon the sick 
in that part of the world. Accordingly in July, 1864, he crossed 
the Atlantic, taking with him as secretary and companion, Mr. A. 
A. Hill, some of whose " Reminiscences " of Dr. N. will be found 
near the close of this volume. He hoped to be able to heal the 
sick in the public squares and market-places of the great cities, 
"without money and without price." But, on reaching London, he 
found, greatly to his disappointment, that this would not be per- 
mitted by the authorities. In that Church-ridden community, one 
proposing to imitate so closely the great Healer of Judea, was 
looked upon as an impostor or a lunatic, and he found that, like 
his distinguished predecessor in another land, "he could do no 
mighty work there, because of their unbelief." At that time the be- 
lievers in Modern Spiritualism in England were comparatively few, 
and these few had little knowledge of or faith in this mode of heal- 
ing. So, after a brief trip to the Continent, the Dr. returned to 
America. 

Six years later, circumstances seemed more favorable for the 
fulfilment of his desires ; and accordingly, in April, 1870, he again 
embarked for England. On arriving in Liverpool, he was welcomed 
by a committee of residents, headed by James Wason, Esq., whose 
hospitality he enjoyed for a few days — performing a number of 



THE HEALER IN EUROPE. 207 

cures meanwhile, some of which will be noted further on — and then 

proceeded to London. Here he was met at the railway station by 

Mr. Peebles, of America, then sojourning in London, and Messrs. 

Coleman and Burns, of that city — all well known in connection 

with Modern Spiritualism. He was this time received with great 

cordiality, and entertained with that free hospitality and kindness 

which are characteristic of the English people. 

Full accounts of Dr. Newton's movements and work while in 

England appeared in The Medium and Daybreak, a weekly journal 

published in London by J. Burns, Esq., from whose columns mainly 

are derived the materials for this record. First we have an account 

of a 

RECEPTION TO DR. NEWTON IN LONDON. 

This interesting event took place in the Beethoven Rooms, 27 Harley street, 
on the evening of Thursday, the 12th instant (May, 1870). All the tickets were 
distributed several days before the meeting took place, and many were disap- 
pointed, as the interest manifested was very great. A brilliant company, com- 
posed of ladies and gentlemen who take a deep interest in Spiritualism, but who 
seldom have the opportunity of greeting each other face to face, filled the spa- 
cious rooms. Comfortable and pleasant conversation occupied the time till Mr. 
Coleman was called to the chair, who immediately introduced to the assembly 
the guest of the evening, Dr. Newton, accompanied by his secretary, Mr. Wat- 
son, who were received with much cordiality. 

Mr. Coleman, in introducing the business of the evening, said he addressed a 
meeting composed almost exclusively of Spiritualists, and from all sections of 
the spiritual camp. Spiritualism belonged to all religions ; and its tenets were a 
belief in a future state of existence. He would not dilate on the various phases 
of spiritual power, but the gift of healing was one of the most exalted that had 
been conferred on men, and had been practiced in all times and countries ; but 
Dr. Newton stood pre-eminent in this respect. When Mr. Coleman was in Amer- 
ica, he heard of a case in which Dr. Newton had cured blindness in a very few 
minutes. Mr. Coleman then stated the case of Mr. Ashley, of Liverpool. Mr. 
Ashley had not been out of his bed for five months, but after a few minutes' 
treatment from Dr. Newton the ailing gentleman got up and walked over a mile, 
and ate a beef steak to his dinner* Mr. Coleman then described the case of 
Mr. Watson, Dr. Newton's secretary, who had been wounded in the eye, and, 
from inflammation, became quite blind. Mrs. Watson was impressed to go to 
Dr. Newton, and she led in her husband with his eyes bandaged, to the Doctor, 
who intuitively diagnosed the case, and in seven minutes Mr. Watson could 
read small type, and can now see with the one eye as well as he ever did in his 
life. Mr. Coleman did not believe that the Doctor would cure all who came be- 
fore him, not even the half. Dr. Newton did not want money ; but if any 
* This case is more fully stated on a subsequent page. — Ed. 



208 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

wealthy person gave him some, it would be devoted to charitable purposes in 
this country. Dr. Newton would remain six months in London. He was taking 
a large house, where he would receive patients. Mr. Coleman then read the 
following address : — 
To Dr. J. R. Newton, of Newport, Rhode Island : 

It is our pleasant duty on this occasion to give you a most cordial and hearty 
welcome : to express the admiration with which your labors have inspired us, 
the fame of which is not only wide spread in your own land, but is familiar to all 
who are acquainted with the philosophy and literature of Spiritualism. You 
have been the means of alleviating and removing human suffering, and curing 
long-standing and terrible diseases, as is abundantly shown in public journals 
and records, and as thousands who have received the benefit of your treatment 
have hitherto testified and are willing to testify. We appreciate these great 
services, which to the poor have been rendered freely — " without money and 
without price." And we anticipate with the most lively satisfaction the prospect 
of a similar good work being effected amongst ourselves, through your instru- 
mentality. We know that this is the hope and purpose which has prompted 
your visit amongst us. God grant that you may meet with a full measure of 
success in this your high and noble mission in our land ! Most deeply do we 
sympathize with, and appreciate your aims ; and desire, as far as we may, to aid 
and co-operate with you in their prosecution. Your long and honorable career 
has forcibly illustrated, beyond all cavil, the practical and beneficent character 
of Spiritualism, which, like your own kindly feelings and generous efforts, knows 
no distinctions of class, sect or creed, but recognizes in every man a brother, 
and especially delights in the relief of suffering humanity. Those of us who are 
honored with your personal friendship desire further t j express our high respect 
for your private worth no less than great public usefulness ; and we are sure 
that we express not only our own feeling, but that of many, very many, who 
are unavoidably absent, in assuring you of our sincere and grateful feelings tow- 
ards you, and that you have our best wishes for the success of vour humane 
and generous purpose. 

May God and the good angels speed you on your way. 

Signed on behalf of the meeting. 

B. COLEMAN, Chairman. 
London, May 12th, 1870. 

Mr. Shorter was called upon to propose the address, who said he had made 
the acquaintance of Dr. Newton in the year 1864, and was struck with his kind- 
ness, openness and candor. He Was glad to find that the untoward circum- 
stances that had prevented the Doctor from remaining with us before were not 
in operation now. Spiritualism now occupied a very different position from 
what it did six years ago. Books, publications, lectures, conferences, Sunday 
services and societies had been established ; and he was glad to find so good 
an assemblage to welcome Doctor Newton on the present occasion ; and that 
the good work commenced by the Doctor in Liverpool would be continued 
among us. A desire had sprung up in society, not only to test the truth of the 



THE HEALER IN EUROPE. 209 

phenomena of Spiritualism; but to point out its practical uses as an aid to relig- 
ion, education, and to deal with physical suffering. This was the work to which 
Dr. Newton's labors had been for many years devoted. His method would be 
deemed an innovation, as the ideas of society were wedded to the system of 
drugging now in vogue, and it was singular that the claims urged by the Church 
for its founder and apostles as healers by the laying on of hands were derided by 
the members of that Church. 

Mr. Shorter said he need not refer to the instances of curing which have 
occurred in all ages ; but among those who in modern times have been efficient in 
the healing of diseases, the most successful is our honored guest. He then re- 
ferred to the well-known demonstrations by the recipients of Dr. Newton's gift in 
Philadelphia. The Doctor had been called before the magistrates on some 
trumpery pretext, and his friends in the city being naturally indignant at such 
treatment of their benefactor, swarmed the Court to the number of fifteen hun 
dred, and offered their unasked-for testimony to the facts and truth of his wonder- 
ful powers. Mr. Shorter gave an account of the cure of Rev. F. R. Young, of 
Swindon, by Dr. Newton, with which many of the readers of this publication are 
already familiar. Mr. Shorter, when at Swindon, saw a lady who had been cured 
of blindness through the agency of Mr. Young, who had received the power from 
Dr. Newton when he cured him in America. 

One object of the meeting was to express to Dr. Newton our appreciation 
of his great kindness in coming among us in this generous and disinterested way. 
It was our duty to give him all the sympathy and aid in our power, and he would, 
in his own behalf and that of the meeting, express the warmest good wishes for 
his success in his noble mission. 

Mr. Tebb heartily concurred in the address that had been read, and in the 
congratulatory remarks that had been offered to the guest of the evening. We 
had many evidences of the uses and good of Spiritualism in such persons as Dr. 
Newton, Mrs. Hardinge, Mr. Shepard, and others who healed, instructed, and 
elevated mankind. Spiritualism was a great fact on both continents, and was 
permeating the literature and thought of the day. It was the prime remedy for 
the materialism of the churches which had divorced themselves from the 
spiritual for the /ast 300 years. 

Mr. Coleman then referred to Mr. Peebles as a most excellent man, who 
taught and practiced what was much appreciated by a great number of Spiritu. 
alists. 

Mr. Peebles rose and said : It is with some degree of embarrassment that I 
make any remarks this evening, and hence I would have preferred that the friends 
on this platform, and especially our honored guest, should occupy the whole of 
the time. I am exceedingly happy in being in your midst, and especially in being 
on this platform, by the side of a friend and brother whom I have known for 
many, many years ; and I am exceedingly glad that you extend to him such 
warm hands, as only warm-hearted Englishmen can give. As an American, I 
often feel that if all Americans would visit England, and Englishmen would visit 
America, the hearts of all who speak the English language would become bound 
together with ties of peace and love that could never be severed. 

14 



210 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

But it is often asked, What good does Spiritualism do ? And if I were to 
answer the question in a few words I would say, it gives us a living, tangible dem- 
onstration of a future existence. Men — reasoning, rational men — often doubt, 
and the question is still asked, "If a man die, shall he live again?" I am 
happy in the knowledge that this truth is spreading to the ends of the earth. In 
Constantinople and Smyrna, 1 found mediums, and attended seances. In fact, 
all over the world do we find that these manifestations and these demonstrations 
are occurring. 

I know much of Dr. Newton, and many hundreds of persons in America have 
clasped my hands and said to me, " Doctor Newton, by that wonderful spirit- 
power, has driven disease from me." Once I remember seeing a man brought to 
the Doctor on a bed. Dr. Newton looked upon him, stepped forward, lifted his 
hands in prayer, and, with a loving smile breaking from his lips, he laid his hands 
upon him, and said, " Disease, I bid you depart ; arise ! " and the man, with one 
spasmodic leap, left the bed. On another occasion a lady was brought to the 
door, but the Doctor said, " There is no need to bring her up ; tell her to go 
away, she is well," and in a few days she was well. He has made the lame to 
walk, the blind to see, and the deaf to hear; and this by that power which Jesus 
transferred, when he said, "These signs shall follow them that believe." And I 
say to you, as Spiritualists, if you live that Christ-life, these gifts will be yours. 
The early Christians did follow Christ, and for 300 years after Christ they 
healed and gave various manifestations of spiritual gifts; but when, by Constan- 
tine, Christainity came under the patronage of the state, and it became a nation- 
alized religion, it seemed as if the inspiration had ceased among Christians, as 
though the angels had left them, and Christainity became a mere form. But we 
need this Christ baptism, and were we to accept these truths and live a more 
divine life, we should have these gifts reserved to us. As Mrs. Hardinge is at 
the head of public speakers in America, so Dr. Newton is at the head of the 
healers, and before him diseases depart ; in fact, though the effects may not be 
immediately removed, yet the cause no longer exists, the effect remaining for a 
time just as a stream runs after the fountain is stopped. So, my friends, I have 
great faith in Dr. Newton's power. I have more than faith, because I have seen 
his works ; I have seen these wonderful cures, and have seen the effect of 
their wonderful power, and in my heart of hearts, have thanked God that such 
men have been raised up to bless humanity. There is a great work before our 
friend in this country, and I feel that he will nobly and faithfully do that work; 
and I trust that you will extend to him that warmth of soul which will inspire 
him in his labors." 

Mr. Coleman put the address to the vote of the meeting, which was carried 
by the audience rising to their feet. 

Doctor Newton then rose and said: "My dear friends: Your cordial 
welcome quite overwhelms me, and I fear I shall poorly express myself on this 
happy occasion. I come before you as a plain man — as a healer, and not a 
speaker. But I will say that it rejoices me to be on English soil, and in an 
assemblage of true and warm-hearted English people, ready to welcome me to 
the field of labor,, and to say, ' Gcd speed and prosper you on your mission.' My 



THE HEALER IN EUROPE. 211 

mission I believe to be a good one. It is not underlaid by selfish motives. On 
the contrary, I have come here at great personal sacrifice. I am an instrument in 
the hands of an all-wise Father to bless and do good to mankind, and I am, I 
trust, willing to go wherever he may direct mv steps. The power of healing I 
believe to be bestowed upon me for the benefit of the suffering everywhere. I 
have been actively engaged in this work many years, with what success, you are 
all no doubt familiar ; and I know I express the feeling of all present when I say 
that I hope my success among you may be as great as in America. And if all 
are prepared to receive me, it certainly will be. Jesus said, ' A new command- 
ment I give unto you, that you love one another.' I have so cultivated this love 
to humanity, that I feel that I love every human being as I love my children. 
And to them I consecrate my gift, my life. If England's great heart responds 
with equal warmth of love and good will, the effects of healing will be felt with 
ten-fold power. Let us pray for the full realization of our desires." 

Dr. Newton spoke still further of his future labors in this country, of his 
arrangements for public healing receptions, et cetera, after which 

Mr. S. C. Hall said: I have no intention of making a speech, but beg to be 
allowed to say two or three words to second the greeting of welcome to Dr. New- 
ton. I believe I would be speaking the minds of all Englishmen, and particularly 
of Spiritualists, in giving a cordial welcome to any American medium, such as 
Dr. Newton or Mr. Peebles, and in so doing, to bring the two nations into more 
intimate relationship. I wanted to tell Dr. Newton of the progress that Spiritual- 
ism had lately been making in England, leading men of intellect and culture to 
inquire into the matter, who would not otherwise have heard of it. There is a 
society in London, composed of many eminent men, and this society has made 
minute examinations of very many witnessess of every class of society, and these 
inquiries are about to be published in the form of a report, and that report will 
have the influence of science on its side. This report will entirely remove those 
two enemies of Spiritualism — the imputation of fraud and delusion ; and fraud 
and delusion will only be urged against Spiritualism by those who know nothing 
about it. When these imputations are removed from the minds of the public, 
then will the truths of Spiritualism be able to assert themselves, and those truths 
he believed to be essential to human happiness. These truths would remove 
many difficulties out of the way of religion, and remove all doubts as to a here- 
after and an immortal life. They show that the spirit enters a life of continual 
existence, and a perpetual state of progress. If we can remove these stumbling 
blocks, we shall be able to make progress with our divine belief. We shall, I 
trust, be the humble instruments in God's hands, of destroying the great source 
of opposition to Spiritualism, and of convincing all mankind, high and low, 
ignorant and intellectual, that there is a hereafter, and that when the body becomes 
dust, the soul shall be elevated to another sphere the moment the body perishes 
— to a life of continual progress with as many stations above as there are con- 
ditions below man at present. 

Mr. Peebles moved a vote of thanks to the chairman for having presided with 
so much dignity and marked ability ; this was seconded by Mr. Tebb, and, after 
some remarks from Mr. W. Evans, to the effect that the teachings of the spirit 



212 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

world would yet elevate men above the tendency to contract disease, it was carried 
with much applause. Order was again called, and Mr. Maltby gave a song, 
accompanying himself on the piano. Miss Katherine Poynts also sang, and Mr. 
D. D. Home recited two pieces. As the formal proceedings broke up, Dr. New- 
ton operated on a number who nocked round him, after which the company pro- 
ceeded to the front drawing-room, where refreshments were served. The meet- 
ing was most satisfactory and gratifying, and will be long remembered by many 
who were present. 

The journal already quoted has the following, under date of 
May 20, 1870 : — 

CURES BY DR. NEWTON. 

No sooner had Dr. Newton set his foot on English soil, than he began to dis- 
pense health and comfort to all who came into contact with him. In Liverpool, 
he made some wonderful cures ; and his mission in London opened on the even- 
ing of his arrival. His first public efforts were in the Cavendish Rooms, on 
Sunday last, when he operated on a number at the afternoon Conference, and in 
the evening. His success in one case was very marked ; that of the son of F- 
Cowper, 38S Edgware Road, who had been unable to walk without crutches for 
eight years past. After Dr. Newton's treatment, the lad was able to walk home 
— a distance of about two miles. On Monday he attended at the Cambridge 
Hall, and had his spine straightened, which has made him measure about four 
inches taller. He now walks with a stick, and improves daily. 

Dr. Newton commenced a regular course of treatment of the poor, on Monday 
morning, in the Cambridge Hall, 14, Newman Street, Oxford Street. He attends 
between the hours of nine and twelve, and will accept no money for his services. 
A large number came to be healed on the first morning, and they have steadily 
increased each day. Many remarkable cures have been made. It would be of 
little use to fill our columns with an account of the remarkable instances of 
benefit which could be culled from the Doctor's treatment on one morning only. 
A few will give our country friends some idea of the Doctor's method and success. 
Our London friends can go to the hall, and occupy the spacious galleries, which 
are devoted to the use of spectators, and see for themselves. Dr. Newton com* 
menced on Wednesday morning by removing a curvature from the spine of a 
young lady, the daughter of Lady Helena Newenham. A lad who had not 
spoken, except in a whisper, for three years was enabled to speak in a hoarse 
voice, so as to be heard distinctly over the hall. The doctor manipulated his 
throat considerably, and caused him to expectorate a deal of matter. Mr. 
Hubbard of Kennington and Rathbone Place, was cured of asthma of long 
standing. Mr. Watts, Rathbone Place, was cured of lameness from wounds_ 
Mr. Charles Clutterbuck, seventy-four years of age ; had been totally blind for six 
years ; after treatment, he could see faces ; he has to call again for another treat- 
ment, when he will be entirely restored. Mrs. Anna Crisp, 23 King Street, had 
been paralyzed for three years j cured by one treatment. She had been affected 



THE HEALER IN EUROPE. 213 

on one side throughout. Robert Andrews, 151 Metropolitan Meat Market, was 
considerably blind of one eye, and had pains in the head and hand ; after treat- 
ment he pronounced himself " all right." James Armstrong, 44 Brindley Street, 
Harrow Road, was afflicted with paralyzed legs for nearly two years. He could 
walk with difficulty on a pair of crutches, but he went away with his crutches 
over his shoulder. Many who were not perfectly cured were much relieved. 
Some were pronounced absolutely incurable : " It would be as easy to make new 
eyes as to cure you," said the Doctor to several who were entirely past recovery. 
Others were benefited, though their perfect restoration was an unsolved question ; 
and some were told to come again, others that their diseases were mitigated, and 
would pass away in a few weeks. ***** 

Much depends on the mental attitude of the sufferer. A tall, dark, attenuated 
young man railed at the Doctor, calling him "blasphemer, imposter, scoffer," &c. 
He merely observed that he could not cure a man in that state of mind. " Turn 
him out," shouted a voice. " No, by no means," interposed the Doctor; "let 
him alone, he is fulfilling his mission ; he cannot help it. ' Woe unto you when 
all men speak well of you.' Men were possessed with devils in the olden time, 
and I don't see why they should not be now." Thus the Doctor offered no op- 
position to the opposition he received ; but with words of wit and wisdom, turned 
the incident to good account. In the course of his treatment, the Doctor will 
pause, and sometimes give a long address on the question of love, humility, and 
the influence of Jesus and holv spirits. These speeches oftentimes have great 
effect on the hearers, as the words come with peculiar eloquence and power, 
backed as they are by the marvellous cures effected. Sometimes there is 
scarcely a dry eye in the hall, and the feelings of some are so deeply stirred that 
they burst out in a torrent of tears, and uncontrollable exclamations. No one 
can receive the influence which proceeds from him, without being the better for 
it, both in soul and body. " The love which you bear to me I bear to others," 
says Dr. Newton, giving all present a deep interest in his work by showing them 
how they can aid him and humanity by the exercise of brotherly love and universal 
charity. If the Doctor's views on this point could be carried out, no doubt but 
the human race would at once be relieved from a host of evils. 



HOW TO CONSULT DR. NEWTON. 

Many of our friends are in great excitement as to the means necessary to 
gain an interview with the " Great Healer," and we have been besieged for intro- 
ductions to his presence. The public are so full of the usual medical notion of 
an austere, pompous, professor of drugging, with crabbed Latin prescription and 
gold-headed cane, that they are not prepared to behold a gentleman whose fee is 
the desire to benefit man, his prescription, " Love me, love all men," and his 
medicine, the potent element of divine action, which has created and sustains all 
things. No one requires any introduction to the Doctor, nor a farthing in his 
pocket to pay a fee, or even a tongue in his head to describe his complaint ; Dr. 



214 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

Newton Is ready at all times to dispense his gifts according to circumstar.:r = , 
without money or ceremony. He is to be found daily at the Cambridge Hall, 
Newman street, Oxford street, from nine till twelve, surrounded by a crowd of 
sufferers and on-lookers, healing the people by dozens. He is endeavoring to 
find a suitable locality where to meet special patients in the afternoon, but this ar- 
rangement has not been effected yet. Those who cannot attend personally 
should send a scrap of clothing in a letter, and they will receive attention through 
that means. A piece of clean clothing should be sent. 

The following excerpts are from issues of a later date : 

DR. NEWTON. 

This eminent healer continues his beneficent work with a success which 
transcends our most sanguine expectations. We are able to present only the 
barest outline of his movements. The instances of cure that are given must be 
regarded as specimens only of the bulk of those which are daily effected by Dr. 
:Dn. The Spiritualist enumerates 105 cases of persons cured or benefited 
by Dr. Newton during the short time that he has been amongst us, stating in each 
case the nature of the disease, and the name and address of the patient, so that 
any who choose may make further inquiry, and verify the facts for themselves, or 
correct any inaccuracy which may inadvertently occur. And these 105 cases are 
but a fraction of the whole. 

Mr. B. Coleman, of Bernard Villas, Upper Norwood, under date of May 
1 8th, writes : — " I met, at Dr. Newton's first reception on Monday last, at Cam- 
bridge Hall, Mr. George Pulsford, of 4 Vernon Square, King's Cross Road, who 
had just been operated upon for deafness in his right ear. He said he had lost 
the hearing of that ear for fourteen years, and was so deaf that he could not hear 
a pistol shot, and he could now hear a whisper. I tested him by asking him, 
after he had closed his left ear, if he heard me, and though I spoke in the lowest 
tone of voice, he answered my question readily." 

DR. NEWTON AT THE REPOSITORY, GRAY'S INN ROAD. 

This place is of some interest to many as the once famous Labor Exchange of 
Robert Owen. From the 3d to the 15th of June, Dr. Newton treated the sick 
here, free of charge, daily, from 10 till 12. 

The following statements as to the relief received from Dr. Newton's treat- 
ment were taken down from the lips of the patients on Thursday, June cjth : — 

Mrs. Breakspeare, 73 Cromer street, Gray's Inn Road. Her baby, twelve 
months old, had curvature of the spine for last six months. The curvature 
entirely disappeared in one minute, under the hands of Dr. Newton. 

William Gage, 76 New Wellington street, Holloway, bricklayer. Numb- 
ness of muscles of arm and hand for six weeks, so that he could not perform 
particular branches or his work. Cured at once. 

John Pearson, 17 Leek street, King's Cross Road, tailor, chronic rheu- 
matics. Unable to work at his trade for last ten years. Perfectly cured at once. 



THE HEALER IN EUROPE. 215 

W. Wallace, 105 Islip street, Kentish Town Road. Severe case of rheu- 
matics; could not walk properly. Cured. 

Charles Lenton, 20A London street, Paddington. Driver of cab No. 
4,828. Intense suffering from rheumatics for two or three years, and had been 
under the hands of seven doctors. Cured at once, although he had been in in- 
cessant pain for several days up to the minute of coming under Dr. Newton's 
hands. 

Mrs. G. Way, 3 Circus street, Marylebone Road. Painful lump on knee, 
about as big as a nut, caused by a fall. Lump and pain disappeared at once. 

We might fill this Magazine with striking incidents and cases. Mr. George 
Childs, of 21 Offord Road, Barnsbury, sends the following : — 

Mr. Browning, Great Yarmouth Villas, College avenue, Hackney, had a 
stiff knee from slipping off the curb ; a cancer on the left breast six to eight 
inches in breadth ; had been five months in bed, and paid from two to four 
guineas weekly for medical attendance. Pie was taken in a cart to Dr. Newton 
at Cambridge Hall ; the cancer burst the same evening ; he has been walking 
about since, has a good appetite, and is fast recovering health. 

Mr. G. Richards, 58 Earl street, Edgware Road, had left hand and arm 
paralyzed for three years, was cured by Dr. Newton at Gray's Inn Road ; and 
is daily telling all who will listen to him. * 

Miss Wathen, 32A New Church street, Edgware Road, a member of Dr. 
Burns' congregation, had her spine injured by a railway accident, so that the bone 
was much displaced. Had been under medical attendance for twelve months, 
and had to use a water bed for nine months. She went to Dr. Newton's house 
and had the spine rectified, and she can now walk about. 

CASE OF WM. ASHLEY, OF LIVERPOOL. 

W. Ashley, 5 Catherine street, Liverpool, retired merchant. In rapid con- 
sumption ; given over by the doctors, who told his wife to be prepared for his 
death at any moment. Had not been out of his bed for five months, and on 
Saturday, May 7th, burst a blood-vessel. On Sunday, May 8th, Dr. Newton saw 
him, and in seven minutes brought him down stairs in such good condition that he 
attended a public meeting the same evening. Next day went out for a walk, ate a 
neat dinner, and drank ale with it. Has since been examined with a stethoscope 
and the doctors say that his lungs are all right. He writes us : — " Sir, — In reply 
to your letter of yesterday respecting the cure by Dr. Newton, I can only add, that 
so far as I am able to judge the cure is a permanent one. Some days ago I was 
examined by a medical man of standing in this town (not my own medical at- 
tendant) who pronounced, after a careful examination, the lungs all right. After 
this, I think, I need not add more. — Respectfully yours, Wm. Ashley." 

CASE OF THE REV. W. C. VAN METER. 

The Rev. W. C. Van Meter, the Superintendent of the Howard Mission and 
Home for Little Wanderers, is well known as one of the most eminent philan- 

* See a more detailed account of this case further on. — Ed. 



2l6 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

thropists of America — the Miiller of the United States. He has received thou- 
sands of destitute, wandering, and orphan children into the Home, where they 
are kindly cared for, and is now in London, hoping by his observations here to 
improve the methods by which the great philanthropic work of his life may be 
more efficiently promoted. 

On June 20th, 1869, Mr. Van Meter slipped on a piece of orange-peel which 
threw him down, and two ligaments in his back were broken by the fall. He was 
confined to bed for some time, and was under the medical care of Drs. Wood 
and Palmer, of New York. The best medical advice in that city could do nothing 
for him, and he was advised to go to Italy to see whether the climate would 
benefit his general health and promote a cure. He reached Paris, but was in such 
a weak state that he could not proceed further. He put himself under the care 
of Dr. Ricard, who did him some good, and he was enabled to proceed on his 
journey to Lyons, Marseilles and Nice, where he resided one month. He then 
visited Florence, Rome and Sorrento, travelling by easy stages, all of which time 
being under medical treatment. 

He came to London on May 20th, and took some hydropathic treatment. It 
happened that he met with Mr. Cowper, of Edgware Road, whose son was so 
successfully treated by Dr. Newton, as stated in the last number of this magazine. 
Mr. Cowper informed Mr. Van Meter of his son's case ; but Mr. Van Meter said 
he did not believe a word of it, and that it was all humbug. He had heard of 
Dr. Newton in America, and of his having cured one of his Sunday School 
attendants, but had never given the matter any attention, having contented him- 
self with entertaining the popular notion that the Doctor's powers were of a 
delusive nature. Some one said " The power proceeded from the devil," and Mr. 
Van Meter replied, " Hurrah for the devil, then, if he can do good at the rate 
which is reported of Dr. Newton ! " He was in doubts of being considered a foot 
for consulting Dr. Newton, and he determined on taking his friend, Dr. Smith, of 
Chicago, with him to see what took place. He accordingly came to the Pro- 
gressive Library by appointment, on Tuesday morning, May 24th, and Dr. Smith 
was present. The patient had walked with great difficulty from Euston Square, 
on his crutches, to Southampton Row— the lameness being caused by paralysis 
of the lower extremities proceeding from pressure of the last joint of the back 
upon the spinal cord, which caused him great pain as well as unfitted him for 
walking, except with great difficulty on two crutches. One of his legs was drawn 
up. Mr. Van Meter was about to describe his case, but Dr. Newton immediately 
stopped him, and placed his hands on his spine, enabling him to walk at once as 
well as he had ever done in his life. He ran up and down stairs with ease and 
pleasure ; went round to Euston and Tavistock Squares ; visited various charitable 
institutions, and was now completely recovered from his painful illness. 

This narrative was given by Mr. Van Meter himself, in presence of Mr. H. D. 
Jencken, barrister, and other gentlemen, within two hours after the cure was per- 
formed. He had almost despaired of getting cured. He is now residing at 60 
Euston Square, and is ready to attest the truthfulness of this statement. The 
crutches were left at the Progressive Library. 



THE HEALER IN EUROPE. 2\J 

The following sketch is given of a sermon by a London divine, 
on " The Healing Power in the Church," and in defence of Dr. 
Newton : — 

NEW CHURCH STREET CHAPEL, EDGWARE ROAD. 

On Sunday last, the minister of the above place (Rev. Dr, Burns), delivered 
two sermons bearing directly on the spirit of progress as characterizing our times. 
In the evening the subject was, The Healing Power in the Church of God ; text 
I. Cor., xii. 9, "The gifts of healing by the same spirit." He gave the subject a 
rapid scriptural review, and shewed how God had given the healing power in all 
ages of the world, to Moses, and to the prophets, and others ; to Jesus, who 
began, continued, and concluded His ministry with it (from Matthew iv., 23) ; to 
the healing of the high-priest's servant's ear (Matt, xxvi., 51). Yet he noticed 
Christ did not always employ this power (Matthew xiii., 58), and that He could 
not always as stated (Mark vi. 4 — 6). This arose from the unbelief of the people 
which could not draw out of Him his restoring energy. This power he trans- 
mitted to His Apostles (Matthew x., 1 — 8), and to the seventy disciples (Luke 
x., 1). This healing power Peter and John employed, restoring the lame cripple 
(Acts iii., 1). So Paul, by the handkerchiefs and aprons being brought to him 
(Acts xix., 11), and also in the case of Publius (xxviii. 1), Philip the Evangelist, 
who in Samaria preached Christ and healed the sick (Acts viii., 5 — 7). James 
in his Epistle gives orders how prayer, and faith, and the anointing oil wore to 
raise up the sick (chapter v., 14, 15). He then said there was an abundant evidence 
that this power remained in the Church during all the dark ages up to the time 
of the Reformation, and from that period to the present. He mentioned Sava- 
norola, St. Bernard, and the late Cure of Ars, near Lyons, in France. He referred 
also to John Wesley's journal, where various diseases, and, among the rest, 
cancers, had thus been cured, and where names and dates were given by that 
eminently holy man. He noticed now the visit of Dr. Newton, whose life had 
been so signally useful in America, and had recently exhibited in a most remark- 
able manner this healing power in Liverpool, London, and other places. He 
defended his reputation from the vile aspersions of skeptics and revilers. To 
some of the objections he thus replied : — First, that it was mere mesmeric influ- 
ence on the imagination, which he thought was as good a way of curing as any 
other, and much cheaper and better than by drugs, &c. Second, that Dr. Newton 
did not cure all, neither, said he, did Jesus. Third, that many intelligent persons 
did not believe in Dr. Newton ; so it was with the intelligent scribes and pharisees, 
and Jesus Christ's disciples would have prevented the Man casting out devils, 
because he did not go with them ; whom Jesus defended, and would not forbid 
His work of mercy, as it was in harmony with His own good doing (Luke ix., 4). 

Our next extract answers the question, 

"WHO IS DR. BURNS?" 
The interest which has been excited by Dr. Burns' s noble defence of free 
thought and free action in connection with Dr. Newton, has given rise to many 
inquiries and surmi-ses as to who Dr. Burns is. * * * 



2l8 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

To satisfy these querists, we state that the reverend gentleman is not related 
in any way to the Progressive Library Burns, and for further particulars we 
reprint the following sketch from the current edition of " Men of the Time," a 
dictionary of eminent living characters, edited by Edward Walford, M.A., and 
published by Routledge & Co. : — 

" The Rev. Jabez Burns, D.D., was born in a humble but respectable sphere, 
in 1805, at Oldham, near Manchester, where his parents were members of the 
Methodist body. He was educated first at Chester, and afterwards at the grammar 
school of his native town. Having aided his father for a time as a chemist, and 
acted as assistant in a drapery establishment, he joined the Methodist New Con- 
nexion. In 1S26 he removed to London, and soon afterwards commenced his 
career as a writer on religious subjects. His first two works, ' The Christian 
Sketch Book,' and ' The Spiritual Cabinet,' published in 1S28 and 1S29 re- 
spectively, gained great celebrity. In the latter year Dr. Burns removed to Scot- 
land, and early in 1S30 became minister of the United Christian Church at Perth, 
where he remained for five years, and gained great popularity by his successful 
advocacy of temperance principles. While in Scotland he published a volume 
of religious anecdotes, and also a sermon on ' The Harmony of Scriptural Elec- 
tion with the Universal Love of God to the World.' There also he edited a 
periodical devoted to Christian union. Dr. Burns commenced his ministerial 
duties in London in the year 1835, having accepted a unanimous invitation to the 
pulpit of the General Baptist Congregation Chapel, Marylebone. His congrega- 
tion increased so considerably that twice during the twenty-five years of his 
pastorage was it found necessary to enlarge his chapel. 

" Dr. Burns, though a Baptist, adopts the most liberal church polity, and 
was one of the earliest members of the Evangelical Alliance, and took his place 
in the conferences held in Liverpool, London, Birmingham, and Edinburgh. In 
1847 he was appointed to the Annual Association of General Baptists, held in 
Vermont, United States. He has been elected several times as moderator and 
one of the preachers of the Annual Assembly, and has filled the office of chair- 
man or president on more than one occasion. 

" In addition to his own pulpit and parish labors, he has lectured in almost all 
the towns of the United Kingdom, on temperance and kindred subjects ; edited 
several different journals and performed an amount of literary work beside that 
is prodigious. 

" His religious works have had an immense circulation in the United States 
of America, especially ' The Pulpit Cyclopaedia,' soon after the publication of 
which, in 1846, the author received the honor and title of D.D. from the Wesleyan 
University of Middletown, Connecticut. 

" We have to add a few more facts, to which we attach quite as much import- 
ance as those given above. Dr. Burns has for half a lifetime been an intelligent 
student of human nature and a practical philanthropist. Phrenology, physiology, 
mesmerism, and the claims of hydropathy and the temperance movement are 
familiar to him as the breath of life. For thirty years he has preached a tem- 
perance sermon annually in his church, and thousands of such sermons and 
lectures elsewhere. This embroilment with the healing power question is no new 



THE HEALER IN EUROPE. 219 

feature in Dr. Burns's career. The writer remembers nearly twenty years ago 
reading a broadsheet issued by Dr. Burns and his temperance friends in reply to 
some wine-bibbing divines who politely and charitably desired to excommunicate 
the good Doctor for his total abstinence principles. This tussle with Dr. New- 
ton's opponents is a small affair to a veteran like Dr. Burns, and history will not 
forget his faithfulness." * * * 

Another paragraph in the same paper announces that " Dr. 
Burns has had the great kindness to place his chapel in New 
Church Street, Edgware Road, at the disposal of Dr. Newton. 
The Doctor will treat the sick there daily." 

On accepting this offer, Dr. Newton issued the following cir- 
cular : — 

" Dr. J. R. Newton, will heal the sick poor daily, at The Rev. Dr. Burns's 
Church, New Church Street Chapel, Edgware Road, on and after Monday, June 
27, from ten till twelve, noon. Dr. Newton has the 'gift of healing' by touch, 
or even by the touch of the garments of the sick, all of which is done by natural 
law. He does not pretend, and never has professed, to work miracles ; but he 
does affirm that his power is of God. If not even a sparrow falls to the ground 
without our Father, surely the healing of the sick can be done by none other 
than His power. ' In Him we live and move and have our being.' Residence 
— No. 34, Upper Park Road, Haverstock Hill. Hours from two p.m. till six 
p.m." 

The results of this somewhat novel but most praiseworthy 
undertaking to heal the sick by what may be properly styled the 
Christian method of treatment, in a Christian Chapel, are thus de- 
scribed in subsequent articles : — 

DR. NEWTON IN LONDON. 

During the week Dr. Newton has healed publicly every morning in Dr. 
Burns's Chapel, New Church Street, Edgware Road. Many striking cures have 
been performed, some of which will be reported in due course. Some annoy- 
ance and disturbance was created by the enemies of Christianity who brought 
obloquy on that time-honored religion by opprobrious acts committed in its name. 
The conduct of such men is useful, as it makes the tenets and behavior of 
Spiritualists appear to advantage when contrasted with it. As in the olden 
time, healing by spirit power would have but little virtue in it, if it did not arouse 
the ire of the scribes and pharisees. Neither Dr. Newton nor any of his friends 
have ever professed that he could work " miracles." Dr. Newton declares con- 
tinually that he performs his cures by the exercise of natural law ; and a circular 
is distributed to that effect, a copy of which we printed last week. Notwith- 



220 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

standing these facts, the newspapers continue to apply the term "miracle-mon- 
ger " to the doctor for the purpose of having an excuse to immerse their fingers 
in the congenial dirt with which they delight to bespatter the object of their in- 
sane aversions. A most untruthful and irrational account of a case of blindness 
which Dr. Newton with characteristic honest}- declared he could not cure because 
the organs of sight were destroyed, is given by the daily press. The father in- 
sisted that as Dr. Newton considered himself " greater than our Lord," he ought 
to cure ail cases as Jesus did so, and as he persisted to abuse the Doctor, he had 
to be removed from the chapel. The results of this affray are distorted in a 
ridiculous manner by the papers. It is a melancholy fact that writers for the 
press cannot tell the truth, if to do the contrary will please their masters the 
ignorant mob, or put a shilling into their own pockets. 

DR. NEWTON'S CURES AT DR. BURNS'S CHAPEL. 

To tJie Editor of '77ie Medium and Daybreak : 

i. — Mrs. Hill, 17 Dudley Place, Paddlngton Green; had been an invalid 
twelve years, the last four years bedridden; had advice from hospitals and 
medical gentleman, all told her the one thing — her case was hopeless. A mem- 
ber of Dr. Burns's church, hearing his kind pastor had offered his chapel to Dr 
Newton for healing purposes, being a constant visitor at Mrs. Hill's, told her ho 
would carry her to the Doctor if she would like to try the means employed. She 
consented, knowing that it is our duty to use every means. Dr. Newton told her 
at once he could make her walk, and in less than five minutes she walked from 
the table-pew to the body of the chapel, and would have walked home if the mob 
would have allowed her. We were anxious that days should elapse before we 
called upon her. On the twelfth day we found her stronger and better able to 
walk. If Dr. Newton had no other case than this one, we think it would amply 
repay him for his trouble in coming. 

2. — Harriet Reddixg, 16 North Wharf Road, Paddington ; had rheumatics, 
unable to bend her knees ; now is able to kneel, and expresses herself very grate- 
ful to Dr. Newton. 

3. — Mr Templar. 16 North Wharf Road, Paddington; had been suffering 
much pain, through hip out of joint, of long standing. He said, " One of my legs 
is shorter than the other. I did not expect Dr. Newton to give me a long leg for 
a short one ; but this I do know, he has taken away the pain, and no one can 
make me believe I have got it." 

4. — Jefferey Davis, 2 North Place, Hatton Street ; hip out of joint ; quite 
cured. 

:. — Miss Monk, 7 North Street, Grove Road ; she was suffering from dropsy, 
and lump in the throat caused her to suffer with bronchitis most of the winter. 
It is now six weeks since I took her to see Dr. Newton. She came to the chapel 
and thanked him, told him she was quite well, never better in her life. We 
called upon her since, and she says she will be glad to see anyone if they doubt 
this statement. 

6. — Mr. Bird, Carlisle Mews, came as a looker-on ; his minister said to him 



THE HEALER IN EUROPE. 221 

" You have been suffering great pain the last few weeks, and I am sure Dr. New- 
ton will relieve you." The Doctor did effectually, for all pain was taken from 
him before he left the chapel. The next day he came and told the Doctor his 
wife was ill with rheumatic fever, had been in bed several days. The Doctor 
described her case and the position she was in ; told him he must get 
her up, and give a free circulation of air to the room, use plenty of cold 
water to the suffering part, and give her a mutton chop. I called a few 
hours after and found her gaining strength, and the pain had left her. Her hus- 
band showed me the rings that had to be filed off her fingers from their being so 
swollen. Dr. Newton said she would be in her own place at chapel on the fol- 
lowing Sunday, and true it was. Now she is able to attend to her duties quite 
well. They both say they shall ever feel thankful to Almighty God that Dr. 
Newton came to New Church Street Chapel. Any person is at liberty to call 
upon them. 

7. — Mr. Coe, 16 Princess Street, Grove Road; was thrown from his chaise 
some months ago, and suffered great pain. The night before he came to Dr. 
Newton he had no sleep from pain. Dr. Newton took the pain from him at once. 
He has been asked by enemies of Dr. Newton whether it is true. He says, 
" This I know, Dr. Newton cured me." Mr. Coe says he was so pleased with the 
kind manner of Dr. Newton that he has no doubt that the Doctor is a real 
Christian man. 

8. — Mrs. Rickets, 10 Avenue Market; had not been out of doors for six 
months. She sent her slipper. Dr. Newton said, " She will be able to walk 
here to-morrow." She came to the chapel, and walked home, is still able to walk, 
and is much improved in health generally. 

9. — Mrs. Waland, i Charles street, Devonshire street; had her arm broken 
some months ago. She came to Dr. Newton in great pain ; he cured her. 
When we called upon her she said, " Give my thanks and blessing to the good 
Doctor, and you, too, for coming to look after me. I hope he will still do good 
to poor people. It is a great disgrace to the nation to treat him so. God bless 
you both." 

10, — William Sayer,»I3 Devonshire Place; suffered with rheumatics and 
paralysis. Dr. Newton quite cured the pain in his hip, but the contraction of 
the hands still remains. 

11. — William King, 17 Devonshire street; gout and rheumatics, had not 
been able to bend his ankle, and suffered intense pain. His hip joints were so 
stiff that he could not bend so as to sit down. Now he can stoop or sit down 
close to his heels. Many in the neighborhood can testify to this. 

12. — Amelia Allan, of Islington ; had been afflicted with fits for years, and 
had three or four a day; she had been operated on by Dr. Newton, and called at 
the chapel and said she had been free from fits for twelve days. 

These are only a few of the many cases that have come under our observa- 
tion. They are also the most marked cases. We have visited some of them 
several times, and delayed our report to give full opportunity for relapse or im- 
provement. We have also known several of the persons named above for years, 
and are intimately acquainted with their previous condition and subsequent cures. 



222 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

We have found one patient who had a return of her pains, but her circumstances 
were sufficient to cause such pains, as she had exposed herself to draughts. We 
observe that those of the most cheerful, resigned, grateful, and prayerful dis- 
position have received most benefit, while the grumbling, fretful people who 
have not received as much benefit as they could desire do not seem to be so 
blessed with what they have received. All uniformly speak with the deepest 
feeling of Dr. Newton's great kindness and gentleness with them, and the mani- 
fest desire which he exhibited to relieve their sufferings. On a future occasion 
we desire to report more cases, and some are now progressing who, we hope, after 
another treatment, may be reported cured. If space would permit, we might 
give a long and interesting account of the wonderful manner in which Dr. New- 
ton described those whose garments were brought to him, even to their state of 
body, surroundings, and the marks on their faces. These features of his labors 
have deeply interested us, and, taken in connection with his remarkable power 
over disease, impress the mind with the fact that he possesses powers far above 
those of ordinary men. 

Miss E. A. Wathen, 32A New Church street. 

Mrs. E. Cowper, 3S8 Edgware Road. 

The ladies who prepared and signed the foregoing statement 
were members of Dr. Burns' Church. 

This most Christian use of a Christian chapel appears to have 
aroused criticism and hostility of a very malignant character, call- 
ing forth from the Rev. pastor the following pungent and unanswer- 
able defence of his action : 

DR. NEWTON AND HIS MISSION OF HEALING. 

Some months ago my attention was called to Dr. Newton's healing power, 
by an esteemed neighbor of mine, who added, " he will soon be in England, and 
then you will see the great things that will be done." Well, in due course, Dr. 
Newton arrived, and began his humane and benevolent work in Cambridge 
Hall, Newman Street, where day after day crowds of sick persons waited on 
him. My time was so fully occupied, that I could not go even this twenty 
minutes' walk to see and judge for myself. But I heard of astounding cures ; 
and seeing that one of the most useful men in Christendom, Rev. Mr. Van 
Meter, of New York, had laid aside his crutches, away I went to see him, having 
a friend with me, that the testimony might be heard by another as well as 
myself. As it had been reported, Mr. Van Meter had been relieved of his 
crutches, and after using them more or less for a year, through Injury of his 
spine by a fall, was now walking several miles daily without them. Mr. Van 
Meter described most clearly how Dr. Newton had effected this change, ascrib- 
ing it, not to miraculous power, but to natural laws and God's blessing, in which 
I fully concurred. I returned home convinced that an extraordinary benefit had 
been conferred on Rev. Mr. Van Meter by Dr. Newton's agency. Then, a 
neighbor of mine, whose son had gone on crutches for some eight years, I saw 



THE HEALER IN EUROPE. 223 

daily walking without them. Then, a working man, whose hand had been 
paralyzed for twelve months, stopped me in the street and showed me he had 
now full power over his hand, and used it as before. 

Dr. Newton removed from Newman Street to Grey's Inn Road, and still 
cures were said to be daily performed ; but I never attended any of these healing 
gatherings. 

At a Soiree given in the Cavendish Rooms, having received a complimentary 
ticket, I went, and for the first time saw Dr. Newton ; but with the exception of 
his kind expressions towards myself, he was silent during my presence, and 
equally so Mr. Peebles, who spoke in reply to the address presented to him, 
after I left the assembly. It seemed to me marvellous that the most bitter 
hatred and every conceivable reproach was heaped on Dr. Newton, whose public 
healings were extended without fee to the most poor and wretched of the 
afflicted who went to him ; and more, that he should be put to great expense in 
paying for a convenient place for doing good to the miserable and diseased who 
sought his aid. At this crisis, Dr. Newton and a gentleman from Birkenhead 
called on me at my study, and I said to the doctor that the public papers con- 
tained astounding notices of his views and teachings, what I presumed were 
gross exaggerations, if not entirely untrue ; and I further said, " if you will come 
here and heal, as God may give you power, our chapel will be at your service. 
Let me," I said, "do the teaching and you the healing, and if good is done to the 
suffering, I shall rejoice." This offer was very gratefully accepted, and the 
Monday week was fixed as the day of commencement. I had not, and afterwards 
did not ask counsel of my friends as to the course I adopted, for I was anxious 
not to compromise relatives or friends in the matter, and for the malignant 
spirit that was abroad, I felt disposed to take the odium entirely on myself. In 
this way all were free to come and observe and judge for themselves, and believe 
and concur, or otherwise, without personal responsibility of any kind. I have 
often done the same in various matters concerning my church and congregation. 
I did so in reference to the expulsion of intoxicating wines from the Lords 
Table and from the vestry cupboard. I did so in allowing the American Indian 
chief the use of my pulpit, and in permitting Christian women to lecture and 
even preach in our chapel. I have done so in many cases where public opinion 
and what is called Christian-church opinion was dead against me. I have never 
inquired in these matters what is respectable, what is popular, what will please, 
or what will pay — but what is right, what will do good, and what is in harmony 
with the practical Christianity of the New Testament. Believing that to heal or 
benefit in the slightest degree the afflicted is so, I cheerfully accorded to Dr. 
Newton our place of worship. That the chapel has been desecrated will 
depend much on the stand-point from which we look at it. As a Protestant 
Nonconformist, I do not believe in the consecrated sacredness of walls, or pews, 
or pulpits. The glory of a house of worship is the Divine presence in the 
influences of his Spirit and grace. But if our place of worship was desecrated, 
it was by rude, unmannerly people who pass themselves off as Christians, who 
came to mock, and rail, and hate both the healer and the healed. 

One of those brought a stone-blind child, that he might tantalize the Doctor, 



224 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

and then, like a son of Belial, deliver himself of all the foul accumulations of his 
diseased mind in the House of God. I felt then, for the first time in my life 
that our place was desecrated, and that the lowest hovel in creation would have 
been desecrated by conduct so rabid and malignant. It was with extreme regret 
that I could not prevail on him to be silent or to leave the building ; and at 
length, though an intensified peaceman, I had no alternative but either to have 
the place turned into a scene of riot or allow a sufficient modicum of muscular 
Christianity to be applied, that he might get into the open air, where he would 
probably sooner recover from his paroxysm of fury. 

Before Dr. Newton came to us, I prepared ruled paper, and employed a per- 
son to report name and address, with disease, and relief obtained, that we might 
afterwards visit them in their own houses at our leisure, and see if the benefit 
was permanent or otherwise. In the admission of persons to the chapel, we 
took them as they came, — many had to be carried, many with crutches, many 
miserably lame and afflicted children, many deaf, many with diseases of the eyes, 
many paralytics, and other cases of sciatica, diseased spine, epleptics, &c, &c. 
A number of cases were pronounced hopeless ; many were slightly benefited, 
while a great number were, to all appearances, cured. In Dr. Newton's mode 
of operation, as a physician, he prescribed both external and internal collateral 
remedies : as warm water freely poured on the head and back ; as the applica- 
tion of cloths dipped in cold water or alum water ; as the abandonment of 
tobacco and bad moral habits ; as the necessity of prayer, and faith and love to 
the Father of mercies and toward all mankind. Dr. Newton evidently has great 
faith in the ministrations of the holy angels, and concludes that heavenly mes- 
sengers may be employed by God in doing good to men, or in strengthening his 
servants in works of mercy, as the angel did the " Man of Sorrows " in his 
bitter agony (Luke xxii. 43.) 

The things I have admired in Dr. Newton are his freedom from guile, and 
childlike spirit ; his utter absence of all respect of persons — often paying 
greatest attention to the most deplorable of the objects that come to him ; his 
entire unselfishness — laboring to bless the diseased poor, without any proba- 
bility of earthly recompense ; his marvellous faith, working itself out in love, 
power, and intensified sympathy towards the afflicted. His allowing the rich to 
leave fees, if they get benefit in the handsome house he has hired for their 
service, is not a very remarkable exhibition of Mammonism ; if so, let the 
medical profession adopt it and share the spoil with him ! I am quite aware 
that no course he could adopt would disarm opposition. Persons must have 
some sympathy with him and his objects, so as cordially to harmonize. Man)', 
like Thomas, must have material evidence before they believe ; while others, 
with the Apostles, do not need to thrust their hand into His side, but can 
receive Him as their Lord, when He breathes upon them, and says, " Peace be 
to you ! " There are many men of learning and science who do not believe in 
angel or spirit, and unless they could see and measure or weigh them, will remain 
skeptics. But of good-doing, all Christian people have the simplest of tests 
given to them by the greatest of all Teachers : " By their fruits ye shall know 
them." Every good tree bringeth forth good fruit." Hence I account relief 



THE HEALER IN EUROPE. 225 

from pain and suffering seems to be good fruit. The poor and afflicted think so, 
and are grateful for it. " It may be," say some, " mere imagination only." 
Well, if they can walk and feel no pain, and sleep, and eat, and work as they 
could not before, this kind of imagination is much to be desired ; and blessed 
are all they who find it. As to the mystery of the process, our ignorance even of 
the material laws should humble us, but our greater ignorance of spiritual and 
moral forces should at least preserve us from a rash and unseemly dogmatism 
and bitterness. All good is from the Infinite Source, the Father of Lights and 
the God of unbounded mercy, and He can employ as the medium of His 
communications angels or men. He embodied this love-power in His well 
beloved Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. But though it dwelt in Him in 
all the fulness of grace, yet men hated Him, reviled him, blasphemed, and linked 
Him with the Prince of the demons. Many of His own disciples forsook Him 
(John vi. 66), and human hate was never satisfied till they hung Him on the 
cross, and mocked His dying agonies by bitter irony, saying, " He saved others, 
Himself He cannot save." " If they do these things in a green tree, what shall 
they do in the dry ? " No marvel that a poor finite worm like Dr. Newton 
should be trampled on with the foot of hateful derision, when the mad religioi - 
ists of Jerusalem, with wicked hands, crucified and slew the Lord of Life and 
Prince of Glory. Let opponents avoid falsehood and slander, and truthfully 
listen to the wise counsel of Gamaliel of old : " Refrain from these men, and let 
them alone, for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought; 
but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it ; lest haply ye be found even to fight 
against God" (Acts v. 38, 39.) 

I do not profess to define the nature of the healing power Dr. Newton 
exerts, but I am inclined to designate it Christian magnetism, — that is, magnetic 
energy or will-force, sanctified by prayer and faith and love, and, of course, 
accompanied by the Divine blessing. But as I have no system to set up or 
defend, I leave others at liberty to call it what they please ; but I have never 
read of evil influences being used to relieve human misery, or to make men 
healthier, happier, or better. 

To the well-named Lunarites* of the district, the chief fomenters of the 
blatant sounds of emptiness and folly, the advice of Gamaliel is particularly 
appropriate, and I only regret that to the deeper maladies of the soul Dr. 
Newton's powers do not extend ; for these more deplorable afflictions, the two- 
edged sword of Divine Truth and the energy and grace of the Holy Spirit are 
alone adequate. 

To feel for the wretched is human ; to attempt to relieve them is Christian ; 
to sympathize with good-doers is angelic (Luke xv. 10); but to slander and 
mock and hate is diabolical ! 

The following additional notable cures are reported as having 
occurred in London : 

* Referring to the adherents of a person named Moon, who was a sort of leader in this oppo- 
sition. — Ed. 

*5 



226 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

A HOPELESS CASE CURED BY DR. NEWTON INSTANTLY. 

On Wednesday morning, Mr. J. Ashman took Dr. Newton to see Mr. Ezra, 
of No. 5 Surrey Place, Coleman Street, Camberwell, who had been carried on a 
bed to 75 Newman Street, to meet the doctor. He had not walked for four years 
and was lying down when the doctor saw him. Dr. Newton put his hands on 
the patient's head ; said it was a very bad case, but that it would be instantly 
cured. When the doctor commanded him to arise, he got up ; and went out for 
a walk with Mr. Ashman. Some ladies who were present were in transports of 
joy at the cure, and manifested their feelings of gratitude in a very impressive 
manner. He was hopelessly invalided, and had tried all means to restore health 
without success. 



DR. NEWTON AT CAMBRIDGE HALL. 

Last week we had the pleasure of reporting some of the many cures per- 
formed by the Great Healer at the above hall. During the last few days of the 
week the crowds so increased, that on Saturday the doctor found it impossible 
to proceed as the throng burst the barriers and closed him in upon all sides com- 
pletely. The crowd in the street was considered an impediment to business, and 
the hall was refused for a longer term. Dr. Newton was thus thrown out of a 
place in which to meet the public, and at the moment we write he has not been 
suited with one. 

We note a few of the cases which have been reported to us : 

Henry Teson, 96 Milton Street, Finsbury, had been given up by Dr. Walker 
as incurably lame. He was carried in to Doctor Newton, and after treatment 
could walk without crutches. 

Miss Lee had been a cripple for twenty-one years ; she was cured by Dr. 
Newton. 

Elizabeth Fowler, 58 Bedford Street, Bedford Square, came with a large in- 
ternal tumor ; before she left Dr. Newton's presence the swelling had consider- 
able lessened, and she expressed herself much relieved. 

Miss Shaw, 5 Cambridge Road, Junction, Kilburn, walked lame from the 
effects of carrying a child about when a growing girl. Dr. Newton rectified the 
hip-joint, making it snap. The cure progressed during the night, and next day 
she walked straight, and her limb was half an inch longer than before. 

H. D. Jencken, barrister-at-law, Kilmorey-house, Penge. We have received 
the following letter: — "Sir, — In reply to your circular respecting the cure effected 
upon me by Dr. Newton, I have but to restate what I have already publicly said — 
namely, that owing to the injuries I had received in Spain, the vision of the left 
eye had become impaired. I consulted with my brother, Dr. Jencken, who ap- 
peared to think that I was suffering from a pseudo astigmatism, a form of dis- 
ease very difficult to cure; the symptoms commencing, as was the case with me, 
with double vision and colored field of view. The cure effected by Dr. New- 
ton was very rapid, and after he had mesmerized me a second time, the eye en- 



THE HEALER IN EUROPE. 22J 

tirely recovered its power of sight. — Obediently yours, H. D. Jencken, 27th 
June, 1870." 

Sarah Cole, 25 Warburton road, London fields. Nearly blind of both 
eyes and could only just see to dress her children. The cure is permanent and 
complete. She can now thread needles and read newspapers. The doctors had 
previously told her that her condition was " constitutional." She had been 
treated at Opthalmic Hospital, Moorfields, and by Dr. Simmonds of Hackney, 
but received no benefit. For ten months before seeing Dr. Newton her eyes had 
been growing worse ; they were very much inflamed and throbbed with pain inces- 
santly. Wore a sunshade when she went to Dr. Newton because she could not 
bear the light. Dr. Newton cured her instantaneously ; and in walking home she 
had no pain, no inflammation, no dimness, no sunshade. Her cure is obvious to 
all who know her. She says — " This I know, before I went to Dr. Newton I was 
nearly blind, but now I see." 

George Huckle, 18 Great James-street, Bedford-row, builder, the conserva- 
tive who was indignant at the abuse of Dr. Newton in The Standard newspaper, 
writes: — "June 21st, 1870. Sir, — In answer to your note of June 15th, I am 
happy to say that I'have not had a pain in my hip-joint since I was under the 
treatment of Dr. Newton. There's still a weakness in the leg, arising, I think, 
from the leaders in my leg being drawn up, and the leg is and has been, only 
about two-thirds the size of the left leg. As I told you, I have had the disease 
in it for five years, and it was still getting worse. I am thankful that I went to 
Dr. Newton. I have been under medical treatment by my family doctor, and I 
have been to St. Bartholomew's, King's College, and Royal Hospitals, and never 
got any relief from the pain. Wishing Dr. Newton every success in his good 
work, I am, yours respectfully, G. Huckle." 

Eliza Olive Attree, of 12 Charlton Street, Easton Road, bears "testi- 
money to the healing power of Dr. Newton, who cured me, with one treatment, 
of pains in the back and chest of twenty-two years' standing. The cure is per- 
mament. Dated August 25, 1870." A country vicar reports his gratitude for 
the cure of his wife of a distressing weak back, which had prostrated her for a 
long time. She can walk without inconvenience, which she could not do for 
years. The reverend gentleman also received benefits himself. Thus the work 
goes on. 



A WELL MARKED CASE. 

On Saturday last, James H. Webb, jun., of 3 Little George Street, West- 
minster Abbey, called on Dr. Newton for advice and treatment. When he was 
three yards from the Doctor, and before Mr. Webb had got time to introduce his 
case, Dr. Newton exclaimed, "you have gallstones, and you will pass them to- 
morrow." On Sunday afternoon Mr. Webb called again with two gallstones 
which he had voided, of the size and shape of two small kidney-beans. They 
are now in possession of Dr. Newton and may be seen by all who desire. 



228 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 



A TUMOR CASE. 

2 James Cottage, Nursery Boad, Brixton Road, S. W., 
August 24, 1870. 
Dear Sir, — I have felt better ever since I came to you, and quite free from 
the tumor that has afflicted me over fourteen years. I am very thankful to you. 
I cried for joy at getting rid of the tumor. My husband also feels better in his 
chest and side, and he wishes me to thank you for himself and me. Make any 
use you please of this letter ; we wish it to be printed for the good of others. — 
I remain, yours gratefully, Margaret Browning. 

To Dr. Newton, 



A HINT TO BENEFIT SOCIETIES. 

Why not take advantage of Dr. Newton's presence among us to cure the re- 
cipients of " Club money," and save the funds. Mr. H. Wooderson, of Hamp- 
ton Court, was taken ill with eczema in the latter end of June, 1869 ; but did not 
put himself under medical treatment till October 18. At that time he was so ill 
that he was confined to bed for three months under the advice of Doctor Bar- 
ton, of Hampton Court, who drugged his unfortunate patient freely with arsenic 
and other poisons, only to damage the nervous system and augment the symp- 
toms. Mr. Wooderson then attended the Hospital for Skin Diseases, 56 Great 
Marlborough Street, where he was an out-patient under Dr. Squires for four 
months. Here he received considerable benefit; but his weakness and nervous- 
ness were so great that he could not walk far nor attend to his employment. He 
was treated by Dr. Newton at Cambridge Hall, and could at once walk well 
without a stick; went direct to Hampton Court; took a good dinner, and went 
to his work immediately. He had been receiving sick pay from the Cambridge 
Union Benefit Society ; Secretary, Mr. Barrett, 21 Portugal Street, Lincoln's Inn ; 
but at once declared himself " off." He is now well and hearty, and has im- 
proved steadily since his treatment by Dr. Newton. He is 62 years of age, of 
full habits, as he weighs eighteen stones, and he blesses the day he ever met with 
Dr. Newton. He may be seen daily in front of the King's Arms Hotel, well, 
heartv and active. 



THE PROGRESS OF DR. NEWTON.— QUAINT SCENES. 

When Cambridge Hall had to be given up, Dr. Newton visited many afflicted 
persons at their homes, and met a great number at the Progressive Library, 
among whom he made some good cures. On Friday last he commenced at The 
Repository r 277 Gray's Inn Road ; where he has treated the sick poor daily, from 
ten till twelve gratuitously. A good number were there to meet him on the first 



THE HEALER IN EUROPE. 229 

morning, and the attendance has constantly increased. Some very quaint scenes 
occur. On the first morning a lame Irishman came, using a wooden leg, his 
natural limb projecting out behind him, bent at the knee ; with much labor the 
doctor unstrapped the wooden auxilliary, and sent away the gratified and grate- 
ful Hibernian with it on his shoulder. A man who had just recovered his sight, 
stared about in the most grotesque manner, amusing to behold. Some scenes 
are deeply affecting ; some groan with emotion, shout with delight, or weep with 
sympathy and gratitude. A knot of " reverend " gentlemen may be seen scoffing 
mildly; or reputed "healers" sneering politely; but more apparent are the 
earnest attentions of eminent physicians, and enlightened divines. Dr. Newton 
is steadily winning his way into the affections and respect of all who come in 
contact with him. Even his theology is beginning to recommend itself to the 
common sense of the people, and they begin to feel that it is " no more strange 
than true." In this respect Dr. Newton is doing much more good than by his 
healing, which is merely a temporary expedient for warding off the consequences 
of an imprudent life. But his teachings respecting the Fatherhood of God, and 
the brotherhood of man — even the most exalted men that have trod the earth — 
is ennobling and elevating. 

THE TESTIMONY OF TWO LADIES. 

The ladies whose names are appended to this statement, have taken a praise- 
worthy interest in Dr. Newton's labors, and were the means of bringing many 
sufferers under his healing hands. Miss Wathen has communicated the follow- 
ing statements in the name of herself and Mrs. Cowper: — 

Matilda Hall had suffered from fistula for two years, and the best medical 
skill either of America or this country was unable to relieve her. She was recom- 
mended to visit Dr. Newton, soon after his arrival. She did so, and felt no pain 
afterwards. The fistula broke, and now the scar only remains. She called to 
thank Dr. Newton and inform him of her recovery. She has just gone to Nevada, 
and declares that she would gladly travel iooo miles to see Dr. Newton if the 
state of her health demanded his services. A young lady had a running sore on 
the ankle bone. Miss Wathen took her stocking to Dr. Newton, who magnetized 
a piece of lint to bind on the sore, saying that in a few weeks it would be healed. 
At the end of the third week the lint was removed, and it was found that the 
ankle was quite restored. Dr. Newton never saw this patient, yet she felt the 
shock when he magnetized the lint, and from that time the pain left her. 

Miss Wathen has taken over forty garments to Dr. Newton, all the owners 
of which have been benefited, and some cured. On September — , Miss Wathen 
took some garments to Dr. Newton. The bag containing them lay closed on the 
table, and she said, " Doctor, I have brought you some more garments." " Yes," 
he replied, " you have a woollen one ; bring it out, and I will describe the case." 
When he took it in his hand, he said, " This woman has tic, and suffers from her 
head a great deal. There is consumption in the family, and there is some phlegm 
on her lungs which must be removed." This diagnosis was strictly true. When 
Miss Wathen returned to Paddington she was told that at 4.40 p.m. the patient 



230 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

to whom the woollen garment belonged felt her pain leave her, and it has not 
returned since. The hour named is the exact time when Dr. Xewton handled 
the woollen garment, and sent the shock to relieve its owner. Miss Wathen also 
took a cap belonging to a hospital patient ; as soon as Dr. Newton took it in his 
hand, he said, " Paralysis of the brain. I can't cure this person, but she may be 
benefited." This opinion was in accordance with that of the medical men who 
had charge of the case. 

We could give many more cases of Dr. Newton's healing power and his ability 
to describe correctly absent persons. 

** * * ## *** 

Dr. Newton's disinterestedness is truly great. He is just as anxious to attend 
to a party of poor, who are unable to pay him a farthing, as he is to treat the 
rich and the finely-dressed. We have been led to admire Dr. Newton for his great 
power to do good, and his unfailing love to use that power. To do as we have 
done was a duty- from which we could not escape, and we cannot realize the 
peculiar temper of any person who could do otherwise, knowing the facts respect- 
ing Dr. Newton, as we do. With thousands more, we record our desire to see 
him visit London asrain. 

O 

E. A. Wathen, 32 New Church Street. 
Mrs. Cowper, 388 Edgware Road. 

The success which attended the cases brought to Dr. Newton by Miss Wathen 
is worthy of special note. Every case was benefited, and the Doctor's power to 
describe these cases was even better than usual. 



A VISIT TO DR. NEWTON. 

To the Editor of the Medium and Daybreak : — Sir, — Various circum- 
stances prevented the realization of my wish to visit Dr. Newton until Wednesday, 
the 14th inst., when my wife and I arrived at his house a little before two o'clock. 
When Dr. Newton arrived, his genial and earnest manner made us friends at 
once. 

After some conversation he placed his hands on my wife's head, and earnestly 
prayed for her good, spiritually and physically, and then did the same for me. 
Presently a young woman arrived, who for many years had been unable to speak 
above a whisper, and had been a patient in hospital, subject to a variety of treat- 
ment ; in a few minutes she spoke distinctly. A gentleman who had suffered 
much and constant pain at the pit of the stomach for six or seven years, came in 
from Dr. Newton's room after four or five minutes, declaring, with delight, that 
he was entirely free from pain. A lady who had suffered acute pain in all her 
limbs for more than twenty years, commencing from the birth of a son, and who, 
when she arrived, ascended the steps to the front door with great difficulty, and 
sat down exhausted with the effort, went into the Doctor's room, and returned, 
her countenance beaming with joy at being able to walk again without pain, 
which she did vigorously, up and down the room and step several times — the 



THE HEALER IN EUROPE. 23 I 

expression of her joy and gratitude was most touching. There were some other 
patients who also declared themselves relieved of their ailments, but as I was 
much engaged in conversation with a lady who was relieved, but from what pain 
I am unaware, I do not remember the details of other cases. 

After a long and interesting conversation with Dr. Newton and friends, and 
deeply impressed with his earnestness and faithfulness, we reluctantly took our 
departure, with the greater regret on learning that he is so soon to leave Eng- 
land. 



PARALYSIS CURED. 

16 Park Street, Bristol, July 15, 1870. 

Sir, — I have read an account in the Spiritual Magazine that you were cured 
by Dr. Newton of a very serious complaint ; and being desirous of applying to 
him, should I receive evidence sufficient to show that his powers are equal to 
report, I shall feel obliged if you will kindly say, by return, whether you consider 
the cure he has effected on you seems likely to be permanent. — I am, sir, yours 
obediently, D. Marshall. 

To Mr. G. Richards. 

58 Earl Street, Edgware Road. 

Sir, — With reference to a report in the Spiritual Magazine respecting a cure 
effected on me by Dr. Newton, I beg to state (not having seen the report myself) 
I would not undertake to say a word ; but I do most readily give you what I 
consider to be the best and most conclusive evidence in support of any benefit 
derived (that is, from the individuals themselves). I will, therefore, in as brief 
a manner as possible, inform you of the nature of my complaint, and also of the 
cure. 

My case was one of paralysis in my left hand and arm, having been afflicted 
with the same for three years, during which time I could not close my hand. In 
fact, my hand and arm were entirely useless ; and at times the pains were so 
great that to rest was quite impossible. I was recommended to see Dr. Newton, 
who was at that time seeing patients at Cambridge Hall, Newman street, Oxford 
street. I went there, without questioning the source from whence his powers 
came. Suffice it to say, my hand and arm that were paralyzed on entering the 
hall, were not so on leaving. I had free use in both, and still remain so up to 
the present time. I have experienced no pain whatever since. 

There have been so many erroneous reports respecting Dr. Newton, that I am 
prepared to substantiate every word I have stated, and shall ever feel grateful to 
him for the benefit I have derived through his visit to this country. — I remain, 
yours truly, G. RICHARDS. 

To Mr. D. Marshall. 



232 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

GRATITUDE TO DR. NEWTON. 

We are continually receiving letters expressive of the deep gratitude which 
those who have been benefited bear to the good Doctor. A lady who has been 
for years an invalid, remarks, " His touch is certainly marvellous, for I got in 
there on Wednesday last, so prostrate, faint, and sick, that I wondered how I 
could bear the drive back, and he refreshed me marvellously in ten minutes. I 
bore the drive home better than I could possibly expect, and rather relished some 
dinner. A fiiend called during the evening who had seen me four days after I 
got up to town, when I was dreadfully prostrate, and thought me looking so much 
better. The journey has been very heavy to me, but I cannot regret it, since, if 

I do not benefit much myself, has certainly lost the tumor on her right side, 

which the doctors here appeared to think must be operated upon with the knife." 
A friend of this correspondent had a child who was in a dangerous condition, 
entirely cured without Dr. Newton seeing it at all. Such are some of the cures 
which are being done, and the writer of the above requires only time to reap the 
reward of her painful efforts to secure this healing influence. 



LETTER FROM MR. J. MAYNARD. 

The following letter has been addressed to the Editor of The Medium : — 
" Sir, — In reply to yours of the 28th instant, I must say that with regard to 
the cures performed through Dr. Newton's agency, that of James Davis, residing 
at 2 John's Place, North Street, Edgware Road, is very striking. He was 
formerly in the army, and, about nineteen years back, he was crushed between 
two guns, and his hip was most severely injured. Afterwards catching cold, he 
found that he could not move the joint, and could not raise his foot upon a chair, 
and was always in very great pain, and always worked in miser}-. On the morn- 
ing of Friday week last, I gave him permission to visit Dr. Newton, having 
directed him to see him. On his return to his work he could raise his leg with 
ease, and expressed his gratitude to me and thankfulness to Dr. Newton for the 
benefits received, as he says he has not been able to raise his foot from the ground 
more than a few inches for nineteen years. He can now touch his chest with his 
(formerly lame) knee with ease, and has not felt ache or pain since. His hip has 
resumed its proper position ; there is now no protuberance as formerly. He is 
constantly under my eye, and I can vouch for the continuance of the cure. The 
little girl, Strut, of 14, Little Earl Street, who was so deaf that her parents had 
to holloa at her to make her hear, still continues to hear very readily. The name 
of Dr. Newton has been well and prominently brought forward by a man whose 
name and residence I have not as yet obtained. He was a frequenter of a pub- 
lic-house in New Church Street, kept by Mr. Hill, who used frequently to give 
' Chaffy ' (the name the man is known by) a shilling, on account of his not being 
able to use his right hand from a contraction of the joints. He is a farrier. Last 
Saturday he went into the house, and said, ' Look here, Mr. Hill,' at the same 



THE HEALER IN EUROPE. 233 

time opening and shutting his hand, ' this is what I can do, and all through going 
to see Dr. Newton.' Some persons laughed at him, and from what I can glean, 
they had to make themselves scarce for the time being. He is quite cured ; and 
Mr. Hill can testify to its continuance. — Yours, &c, 

" 24 Paddington Street. J. MAYNARD." 

Davis remains well, and restored as above described. 



"THE BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT." 

A very interesting case occurred at the Progressive Library on Tuesday morn- 
ing. Mr. John Blackburn, from Halifax, arrived in London, with a party of 
friends the day previous. John has been blind for eight years, so that he could 
only distinguish light from darkness, but could not discern any objects. Dr. 
Newton operated on his eyes, and almost immediately John could see the Doc- 
tor's face and beard, Mr. Burns's white waistcoat, his own wife, and, in less than 
ten minutes, a walking stick when it was held before his face without his being 
apprised of its being so held. He walked about London all day, and could guide 
himself very well, and continues to improve. Some of John's friends were also 
treated for ailments, and received great relief. One from lung disease of eight 
years' standing, and another from very serious heart disease. 



"THE LAME WALK." 

Henry Evans, New Street, near Kidd Street. Woolwich, had been unable to 
walk for twenty months without the help of two persons. Went into Guy's Hos- 
pital for eight weeks, then three months, and again six weeks. The doctors were 
Moxon and Habershorne. He received great kindness from them. They pro- 
nounced him incurable, but told him that he was welcome at any time to return, 
and they would do their best for him. He had heard of Dr. Newton's cures, but 
considered his case too bad to gain relief. His wife, hearing of a person who had 
been a cripple for five years, and whom the Doctor had cured, persuaded 
him to go. Two friends brought him into the house, and Dr. Newton said he 
could cure him. I entered the house just at the time, and heard the man re- 
joicing as he walked about the room and said how grateful he was to Dr. New- 
ton for the cure, and he should call at the hospital that they might see for them- 
selves. He walked away from the house without assistance. 

32 New Church Street, W. A. E. Wathen. 

I have seen him since, and his cure is a genuine one. 



234 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

IN THE PROVINCES. 

Visit to Swindon.— Testimony of the North Wilts Herald. — Address of Rev. F. R # 
Young. — Large Number of Cures. — Visits to Birmingham. — One Hundred Cures. — 
Visit to Maidstone. — Cases Treated. — Testimony of Mr. Thomas Grant in Maidstone 
Telegraph. — Opposition and Public Sympathy. — " A Miracle and a Great Cure." — 
Dr. Newton at Halifax. — " A Great Day." — Interesting Incidents. — List of Cures. — 
At Andover. — Enthusiasm of the People. — Interesting Cases. — At Northampton. — 
Remarkable Cases. — At Kingston-on-Thames. — At Nottingham. — Cure of Spinal 
Disease. — Cure by another Healer, who received the Power from Dr. Newton. — Testi- 
mony of T. C. Davies, in Manchester Examiner and Herald. — Dr. Newton's power 
something more than Mesmerism. 

At intervals during his work in London, Dr. Newton visited a 
number of the provincial towns and cities of England, for the pur- 
pose of healing the sick and suffering who might present themselves. 
These visits were usually made on Sunday — a day when the labor- 
ing classes were at leisure to avail themselves of his services — and 
he was in most cases attended by Mr. James Burns, editor of the 
Medium and Daybreak, who gave instructive lectures to the people 
on The Healing Power and other cognate subjects, after which those 
suffering from any disease were invited to come forward and be 
healed. 

The first of these visits was made to Swindon, the home of Rev. 
F. R. Young, who, it will be remembered, visited Dr. Newton in 
America, in 1868, and was cured by him of a troublesome disease. 
He had then obtained from Dr. N. a promise to visit him when he 
came to England. This clergyman placed at Dr. Newton's disposal 
the Free Christian Church, of which he was pastor, and the pro- 
ceedings of the occasion are thus described in the North Wilts 
Herald, of that place : — 

DR. NEWTON AT SWINDON. 

We may observe that Dr. Newton has already appeared in London, and has 
been the subject of several attacks in that very peculiar print, the Daily Telegraph. 



THE PROVINCES. 235 

* * * He has been assailed in Daily Telegraph Billingsgate by men who 
have not taken the trouble to inform themselves as to the facts. For downright 
ignorance and impudence, commend us to a flippant Cockney writer. Dr. New- 
ton has been spoken and written of as if he were propounding some new theory, 
or was the first person since the days of the Apostles who declared that by faith 
and prayer the Holy Spirit would heal human diseases. As a matter of fact 
these claims have been put forward at various times in the Christian era. In the 
early Church, Ignatius, Polycarp, Justin Martyr, and others might be named, as 
well as Cyprian, Augustine, and Paul the Hermit. "The dreams of Huss (to 
use the language of Dr. Bushnell), the prophesyings of Luther and Fox, and 
Archbishop Usher, the ecstasies of Xavier, with innumerable. other wonders, and 
visitations of God, in the saints of the Church, during all the intervening ages, 
bridge the gulf between us and the ancient times, and bring us to a question of 
miracles and gifts as -a question of our own time." Dr. Bushnell further refers 
to this subject in his interesting and able work " Nature and the Supernatural." 
He says, in pages 324 and 325 : " Descending now to the times we call modern, 
the times, for example, subsequent to the Reformation, nothing is easier, exactly 
contrary to the very common impression, than to show that the same kind of 
prodigies are current here, in the last three, as in the first three centuries of the 
Church. Whoever has read that Christian classic, The Scots Worthies, has 
followed a stream of prophecies, and healings, and visible judgments, and 
specific answers to prayer, and discernment of spirits, corresponding, at all points, 
with the gifts and wonders of the apostolic age. And the men that figure in these 
gifts and powers are the great names of the heroic age of religion in their coun- 
try — Wishart, Knox, Erskine, Craig, Davidson, Simpson, Welch, Guthrie, Blair, 
Welwood, Cameron, Cargill, and Peden. And it is a curious fact, in regard to 
this great subject, that, while we believe so little and deny so much, and hold so 
many opposite assumptions, this same book of Howie, that chronicles in beauti- 
ful simplicity more gifts and wonders than all of Irving's, is published by one of 
the largest and most conservative bodies of Christians in our country, and is 
read by thousands, young and old, with eager delight." * * * "At a 
later period, on the repeal of the edict of Nantz, and in the persecutions that fol- 
lowed, a large body of the Protestant or Reformed disciples, called Huguenots, 
hunted by their pursuers, fled to the mountains of Cevennes. Some of them also 
escaped to England and other Protestant countries. Among these unhappy peo- 
ple the miraculous gifts were developed, and by them were more or less widely 
disseminated abroad. They had tongues and interpretations of tongues. They 
had healing and the discerning of spirits. They prophesied in the spirit. In- 
telligent persons went out from Paris, to hear, observe, and make inquiry, and 
these people were much discussed as ' Les Trembleurs des Cevennes.' In 
England they were also discussed as the ' French Prophets,' and the fire they 
kindled in England caught among some of the English disciples, and burned for 
many years." * * * * " The sect of friends, from George Fox down- 
ward, have had it as a principle to expect gifts, revelations, discernings of 
spirits, and indeed a complete divine movement. Thus Fox, over and above his 
many revelations, wrought, as multitudes believed, works of healing in the sick. 



236 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

Take the following references from the Index of his ' Journal,' as affording, in 
the briefest form, a conception of the wonders he was supposed, and supposed 
himself to have wrought : — ' Miracles wrought by the power of God — the lame 
made whole — the diseased restored — a distracted woman healed — a great man 
given over by physicians restored — speaks to a sick man in Maryland, who was 
raised up by the Lord's power — prays the Lord to rebuke J. C.'s infirmity, and 
the Lord by His power soon gave him ease.' " 

There are also other cases more modern, the Zouave Jacob, Prince Hohenloe 
and others. The Spiritual Magazine for May, 1S6S, contains an interesting 
chapter entitled " Evidences of Spiritualism in modern Works of History and 
Literature." 

We have written this much for the information of our readers. We now pro- 
ceed to chronicle Dr. Newton's visit to Swindon. The first assembly was at the 
Free Christian Church, at half-past nine. There was a numerous and intelligent 
congregation, the building being filled throughout the proceedings. Dr. Newton 
is rather below the medium height, and inclined to be corpulent. He has a 
massive head and well developed forehead ; his features certainly wear a peculiar 
appearance, and give tokens of his being a man of powerful will. He is 60 years 
of age, but has the vigor and energy of 25 ; in fact he stated on Sunday that he 
never felt tired or exhausted. 

The Rev. F. R. Young introduced Dr. Newton to the audience in an appro- 
priate address, of which we give the following outline. Mr. Young said that the 
circumstances under which they were met were altogether so peculiar, and to 
some of them so agitating, that he had thought it right to address some remarks 
to them, by way of guiding their thoughts and giving them some measure of quiet- 
ness of mind. In asking Dr. Newton to visit Swindon and heal the sick by the 
laying on of hands, he had not the most remote idea of providing what might be 
called a sensational entertainment, for if there were one person in this world who 
more than another abhorred the introduction of the sensational into places of 
worship or works of philanthropy, that person was himself. If a fact would not 
tell its own tale, and if a truth could not recommend itself to man's acceptance by 
its own intrinsic evidence, he was quite willing to wait for the time when the fact 
and the truth would both be received, as assuredly they would be sooner or later. 
"When he was in America two years ago, he saw on every side more than enough 
to convince him that Dr. Newton possessed a peculiar power to heal disease by 
the laying on of hands. What was he to do ? He had the testimony of his own 
senses confirmed by the words of many others, who were morally incapable of 
deceiving, and who were intellectually capable of giving testimony, in reference to 
the question before them. When, therefore, he himself had been healed by Dr. 
Newton, and had seen that gentleman heal many others, there was an arrange- 
ment made between them both, that whenever Dr. Newton came to Europe he 
should visit Swindon, to give to the people of that locality the benefit he so freely 
distributed in his own country. It should be understood that Dr. Newton claimed 
no inherent power to do healing work, and that he arrogated to himself no virtue 
for the doing of it. Like all the rest of us he was but a weak, erring, fallible 
creature ; but God who distributed His srifts according: to the dictates of His own 



IN THE PROVINCES. 237 

Sovereign Will, had been pleased to endow Dr. Newton with the special gift of 
healing, and if any present knew anything of the history of the world, and 
especially of the history of the Christian Church, they must know quite well that 
there had been, here and there, in all ages and among all peoples, persons to 
whom the Infinite Father had been pleased to give this special gift. It was true 
that God did not give this power in the same measure to every person whom He 
thus endowed, but there was the power after the measure of God's own will. Mr. 
Young then said that he himself owed a debt of gratitude to Dr. Newton he could 
never hope to repay, for curing him in a few minutes of a disease of eleven years' 
standing, and in efforts to alleviate which he (Mr. Young) had spent, first and 
last, hundreds of pounds. Since the 22nd of May, 186S, it was well known to 
many present that, physically speaking, he (the speaker) had been a new man, 
" old things had passed away, behold all things had become new." He had 
done more work, physically and mentally, during the past two years than through 
any former period of the same extent, and yet he was now an utter stranger to 
what might be called the sensation of weariness, besides which he had lost totally, 
and, as he believed, for ever, the pain with which he was formerly afflicted. He 
attributed that change to the power of God exerted through Dr. Newton, and that 
power the Doctor had come to Swindon for the purpose of bringing to bear upon 
such persons as might offer themselves to him for his help. Mr. Young con- 
cluded by reading the third chapter of the Gospel according to St. Mark, which 
he considered to be appropriate to the present occasion. 

Dr. Newton having made a few remarks, stating that he was impelled by a 
divine power, and not from his own mere volition, then invited afflicted persons 
to come on to the platform. As we have felt it our duty in this matter to give 
only facts, we have obtained for publication a copy of a record in which is entered 
the name, address, disease, and opinions of the majority of persons who presented 
themselves to Dr. Newton. Whether they are cured ; whether, if so, the cure is 
permanent, are questions we cannot answer. We simply publish the document 
for what it is worth. We will add a fact or two for which we can vouch. Thus, 
a man who came to the church walking with a crutch and stick, one of his legs 
being suspended in a sling from the neck, and requiring two men to help him on 
to the platform was greatly benefited. We saw him leave the church walking 
only with a stick, a young man bearing the crutch aloft in the rear as a kind of 
trophy. This person lives at Corsham, we believe, and we should like to hear 
from him as to his symptoms and present state. Then a deaf boy, after treatment, 
heard a whisper ; a young man, who stammered, was able to speak with ease ; a 
respectable tradesman of Swindon, who had a stiff knee, which he was unable to 
bend, was capable of kneeling with ease after treatment by Dr. Newton. In 
fact, he went on his knee on retiring to his seat, at the request of friends sitting 
near. We also entered into conversation with a gentleman who had come some 
distance (from Portsmouth we believe), and who declared that he had* been 
relieved and benefited by Dr. Newton. These are facts which came under our 
notice, and we give them as we witnessed. At the morning meeting the congre- 
gation was a reverent and interested one. In the afternoon the place was crowded 
to excess (Dr. Newton having stated he should not heal in the evening), and the 
consequence was much crowding. * * * 



2j8 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

We ought to add that Dr. Xewton did not once in our hearing claim to be able 
lo "work miracles ; " therefore, to term him a " Modern Miracle Worker" is a 
misnomer. He more than once said he had a magnetic power, which by divine 
aid he was able to exercise and by its influence affect the nervous system of those 
he cured, adding that it was through the mind he worked. This -evives the 
whole question of mesmerism or animal magnetism in healing disease, but we 
have no space to discuss the matter, and will simply add that we are aware of a 
qualified medical practitioner in Exeter, who announces that his remedies are 
really mesmerism and galvanism. It ought to be stated that Dr. Xewton came 
to Swindon without fee or reward ; that he refused to take money in any case, 
and insisted upon paying any expenses which might have been incurred by his 
visit. Some carte de visite portraits of Dr. Xewton were offered for sale at the 
doors of the church, but we are informed the matter in no way concerned him. 

[Mr. Jervis furnished a list of ioo names of persons either cured or benefited 
by Dr. Xewton on this occasion, which are omitted.] 

The following excerpts from the Medium imd Daybreak and the 
Spiritual Magazine give some idea of the Healer's work in other 
places. The dates, unfortunately, have not been preserved, and 
hence the arrangement may not be in chronological order : 

DR. XEWTOX'S VISIT TO BIRMINGHAM. 

On Sunday morning, at ten o'clock, the principal meeting was held in the 
Temperance Hall, and it will be long remembered by those present. Some 6co 
people attended, and about ioo presented themselves for the Doctor to exercise 
his powers upon them. There were the paralyzed, the lame, blind, deaf, and 
sufferers from various maladies From the back country they were brought in a 
variety of vehicles, and the unmistakable signs of thankfulness depicted in the 
countenances of many who were cured or relieved, it made one's heart glad to 
see. One young man who presented himself to the Doctor came in with a stiff 
knee-joint and walked with much difficulty. The Doctor pulled up the trousers, 
tore off the elastic and told him to put it into his pocket ; he then exercised the 
limb and told him to walk without his stick, which he did, to the astonishment of 
the audience, who were vociferous in their enthusiasm at the result of the Doc- 
tor's powers. The same person called at Mr. Franklin's shop in Suffolk Street 
to express his heartfelt gratitude to the Doctor for the great benefit he had re- 
ceived at his hands, but the Doctor had left by an early train for London. 

The representatives of the daily papers sat in the enclosure, and had full lib- 
erty to question all the cases, and in fact did so in many instances. 

[A list of over one hundred cases of cures is appended which is omitted, on 
account of the great number already given. — Ed.] 



DR. NEWTON AGAIN AT BIRMINGHAM. 
A correspondent reports that " on Saturday last, Dr. Newton, accompanied 



IN THE PROVINCES. 239 

by Mr. Burns, fulfilled the promise he had made (to re-visit Birmingham). A 
deputation of friends met them on their arrival at the station, and accompanied 
them to the Waverly Hotel, a quiet retreat from the bustle of the centre of the 
town, situate in the Crescent. No sooner had the Doctor divested himself of the 
dust of travel, than he was besieged by suppliants for his healing balm, which he 
administered freely without stint or grudge." 

Mr. Morris, of West Bromwich, was driven over by Mr. Ward in his carriage. 
* * * Mr. Morris had been introduced by Mr. Lones to Dr. Newton in Lon- 
don some months ago. At that time he was a helpless and hopeless cripple ; his 
legs were atrophied to mere spindles, much inflamed, and very painful. Dr. New- 
ton enabled him to walk without his crutches, removed the inflammation, and set 
him on the road to recovery. After he returned home, Mr. Morris again re- 
sumed his crutches to save his legs, but in doing so, the former symptoms gradu- 
ally returned, so that he walked on Saturday with much difficulty, aided by a pair 
of crutches. After being manipulated by the Doctor, the lame man walked about 
the room. It was noticed that the muscles of his legs had grown somewhat since 
his previous treatment in London. He then walked downstairs and out into the 
streets, and afterwards walked to the Athenaeum to attend the tea meeting. He 
was also at the public healing on Sunday, and walked about the hall with much 
freedom and apparent ease. 

While Mr. Morris was in Dr. Newton's rooms on Saturday, a deputation from 
the Gazette came in to observe for themselves. They were acquainted with these 
facts from the mouth of the person interested, and the reporter ultimately put 
himself under the Doctor's hands for a lameness of the knee, the result of rheu- 
matic fever experienced several years ago. After treatment he admitted that he 
was benefited, and no doubt the cure has progressed since. This circumstance 
considerably modified thi views of the news-mongers, and prepared them to re- 
ceive further facts somewhat in the spirit of truth. * * * 

Our correspondent continues : — " The tea meeting to welcome the Doctor was 
well attended. The tables were handsomely decorated with flowers, no over- 
crowding, but a thoroughly social and agreeable meeting, appropriately opened 
by the Doctor shaking hands all round. 

" Tea over, Mr. J. Burns, of London, addressed the meeting for about half an 
hour on the philosophy of the Doctor's operations, &c, and made a very good 
impression. The Doctor also made a few simple and affectionate remarks ex- 
planatory of his mission. A case of defective sight was aftewards operated upon, 
and the spectacles ordered to be laid aside and no longer used." 

[A lecture from Mr. Burns followed, at a later hour, but no further cases of 
healing are reported. — Ed.] 



AT MAIDSTONE. 

The following cases are reported as having been treated by Dr. Newton at 
Maidstone : 

Mark Antony Twort, photographer, age 41 ; great sufferer from indiges- 
tion for six years, causing a dull heavy pain about the heart. Dr. Newton called 



24O THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

it heart disease, and promised to cure him ; but for seven days after he saw the 
Doctor he was much worse, when, as he stated, something seemed to drop or 
break away from the neighborhood of the heart, and since that time he has been 
better than for years past. He thinks something has been forming internally for 
some years, and now seems to have been gone entirely. He appears very grate- 
ful, and talks of writing a letter of thanks to Dr. Newton. 

Mrs. Martin, Wharf Lane, is grateful for benefit received; rheumatic pains 
in the hips, disturbing her rest. Has now lost all pain (except a slight pain in 
the knee), sleeps well, and is wonderfully better. 

Samuel Twiner Smither, 80 Union Street, age 22 ; deaf eight or nine 
years. Saw his mother, who states he can hear much better ; as a proof, she 
mentioned that in the night he was much alarmed at a slight noise in his room, 
made by a cat playing with a piece of newspaper. 

John Dyer, Mill Lane, aged 61 ; great sufferer and lame from rheumatics; 
very much better, walks without a stick, and can put his hand up to his head, 
which he has not been able to do for a long time. 

William Ayres, Hart Street, age 43 ; leg was broken about eight years ago, 
and until he saw Dr. Newton he had not been able to bend it ; he can do so now, 
and put his foot to the ground. 

Thomas Simmonds, builder, age 59 ; had been seriously disabled and pained, 
four years and a half, by what his doctors described as a loose piece of cartilage 
under the cap of the knee, causing the joint to be frequently upset by anything 
striking the inner side of the foot, notwithstanding that he always wore an elas- 
tic bandage which he dared not leave off for an instant. He had consulted sev- 
eral doctors, who tried to move the joint various ways, and a serious operation 
was proposed, but he was advised not to consent to it. Dr. Newton pressed the 
sides of the knee-cap, and instantly removed the impediment ; he ordered the 
bandage to be removed, and the knee has remained perfectly sound ever since. 
This important cure was both instantaneous and complete, and the patient is most 
grateful. 

Mrs. G , age 6y ; had suffered from stiffness, pain, and weakness of one 

knee, which for several years had been gradually getting worse, and threatened 
to become quite a stiff joint. Dr. Newton's touch caused a snapping sound, and 
instanly restored freedom to the joint, which has continued, and it is daily gain- 
ing strength. 

Thomas Capon, St. Peter's Street, age 68 ; fell from a ladder three years ago, 
and injured his left leg, which he could only move by help of his hands. When 
Dr. Newton touched him he felt something give way under the knee, which he 
has since been able to move without using any assistance, and he is decidedly 
better and stronger. 

W. R. Waters, 7 Charlton Street, New Brompton, Kent, aged 29; injury to 
the spine, eighteen months since. Writes that he is very much better than he 
ever expected to be, and can now attend to his business all day without being 
obliged to go to bed ; indeed, he says, " I have every reason to believe what the 
Doctor told me is true — ' You are well ; you are cured.' " (Communicated by 
Thomas Grant, Shirley House, Maidstone.) 



IN THE PROVINCES. 24I 

Mrs. Jury, 8 Carey Street, age 28; weakness and swelling in left knee, of 
long standing, also great weakness of spine or lower parts of back since her first 
confinement three and a half years ago. The spinal weakness was instantly and 
permanently cured, but the knee is no better. 

Mrs. Rowe, 61 Week Street, age 39 ; weakness of ankles, knees, and side. 
Says she is much better. 

Esther King, Tonbridge Road; loss of voice, about four years — has been 
in the hospital without benefit. Was made to speak loud, though somewhat in" 
distinctly. Feels that the Doctor has removed some impediment in her throat. 

Adam Russell, Bridge Tavern, age 39 ; bad leg, eighteen months, with dis- 
charges. Can stand now; could not before. 

James Ayers, i Bower Nursery Road, age 30 ; rheumatic gout, five to ten 
years. Called to say his leg is much stronger, less pain, can walk better, and 
feels that the treatment has been of great benefit to him. 

Mrs. Brown, 3 Hart Street, brought a child three years old, with weakness 
in legs ; the bones appeared soft and shrunken. The Doctor said recovery must 
be gradual, and the child is now decidedly stronger Can use its legs more than 
before. 

Mr. Dutnall, 53 Upper Fant Road ; his daughter, age about 12, is subject to 
fits. Has had none since seeing the Doctor — five weeks. 

Caroline Simmons, 23 Mote Road, age 47 ; skin disease on neck and face. 
Much benefited, and continues to improve. 

Mrs. Hodges, Queen Street, East Farleigh, age 45 ; very deaf from a girl 
and nearly blind ; also scrofula. Writes a most grateful letter. States she could 
see but very little, even with spectacles, for some years, but can now see to 
thread a small needle, and to sew without spectacles. Hears a little better, and 
her left arm is much better than for thirty-six years past. 

(Cases communicated by C. T. Hook, Esq., Snodland.) 

Alice Kemp, Snodland, age 17 ; swelling of knee — scrofulous constitution. 
Has used a crutch the last eighteen months. Stronger and much improved. 
Can now walk about indoors without her crutch. 

— Adams, Snodland ; weak eyes. Sight greatly improved, but weakness of 
the lids remains. 

Mr. Hook's servant; sprained ankle of rather long standing. Had to wear 
elastic stocking and use lotion. Cure instantaneous and complete. 

In a communication to The Maidstone Telegraph, Mr. Thomas Grant re- 
marks : — 

" I had next day an opportunity of seeing Dr. Newton make several cures in 
Mr. Burns's house. A lame woman was quickly made to walk, and left apparently 
sound. A stammering boy was made to speak plainly after the second treat- 
ment. His mother told me the boy had a lump in his throat, which immediately 
disappeared the first time when the cure was nearly completed. 

" The doctor knows intuitively what ails his patients, and seldom needs to be 
told ; as a rule, it is best to say nothing, but earnestly desire to receive the re- 
storative influence, extending towards the operator that love and sympathy 

16 



242 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

which his holy and disinterested mission entitles him to. I observed that 
instantaneous cures are often produced by a sharp operation followed by imme- 
diate action, thus : a paralyzed person is told briskly, 4 You are well ! rise 
quickly ! up ! up ! walk ! run ! ' and the success depends greatly upon the force 
of the impression upon the mind, which is the test of faith. Many rise when 
thus called upon and find themselves really cured ; others hesitate, and fail. In the 
latter cases lookers-on often say, - See, he is an imposter ; for he said the poor 
man was cured, and he as impotent as ever.' They cannot comprehend that his 
assertion was merely his modus operandi, to test the patients' faith or receptivity." 
" Dr. Newton's very pronounced individuality is a prime condition whereby 
he is a healer ; and this mental influence is one of the means used by him in 
effecting his cures. Some misunderstand this law, and consider that Dr. New- 
ton misleads them when he affirms to his patients, ' You are well,' when they are 
not well. This phrase is the audible expression of the feeling which must pos- 
sess the Doctor's mind in order that he may affect his patient. * * * Hence Dr. 
Newton may oftentimes be correct when he says ' You are cured,' and at other 
times it ma}* be merely the expression of the desire which is operating within his 
own mind. These are questions of the highest importance, and I hope other 
:::ers will give their views on them." 

DR. NEWTON'S VISIT TO MAIDSTONE. 

The disinterested intentions and good acts of Dr. Newton and Mr. Grant 
were so apparent as to stir up the spleen of the local town missionary, who wrote 
a letter which appeared in the Maidstoiie Telegraph of August 13. condemning 
in the most impudent and harsh manner the act of " healing by laying on of 
hands." He was ably replied to by three writers in the following issue of that 
paper, from which it appears that public sympathy is much more with Dr. New- 
ton than the unfortunate town missionary, who is the butt of much opprobrium, 
which is given in such a form as to indicate that it is well merited. Mr. N. 
Large declares that " many of the patients have been benefited and are still pro- 
gressing." 



"A MIRACLE AND A GREAT CURE." 

Mr. Large has also forwarded us the following letter from James Armstrong: 
Sir, — In reply to your letter of the 21st, I have been suffering from chronic 
rheumatism of the joints and loss of power. I went to Dr. Newton on the 1 5th 
or 16th of May ; I was on crutches at the time. I saw the Doctor, and I cer- 
tainly walked away for some distance the first day, and I gradually left off the 
crutches, and in three weeks I left them off altogether. I: is now seven weeks 
since I made any use of them whatever. It is now two years in the month of 
August since I have done one day's work. I must say that I received a great 
benefit from Dr. Newton. My doctor calls it a miracle and a great cure. I 
was nearly three hours off my crutches the first day that I saw the Doctor. I 



IN THE PROVINCES. 243 

am stopping at this institution to gain some strength. I came here for a month 
for the sea air and change. — I remain yours respectfully, 

James Armstrong. 
All Saints Convalescent Institution, Eastbourne, July 25, 1870. 



DR. NEWTON AT HALIFAX. 

{From a Correspondent.) 

Dr. Newton had a warm reception on his late visit to us. On Saturday 
evening last an eager throng awaited the arrival of the evening express from 
London, due at 10.35. Their patience was rewarded, for in due course the train 
came into the station laden with the object of their expectations. The large 
part) r , headed by Mr. Ambler, which occupied the platform, gave the Doctor 
and his companion, Mr. Burns, a hearty Yorkshire welcome, which was repeated 
by the crowd outside the station, and a long procession followed the vehicle up 
to the hotel. The committee determined that as much good should result from 
the Doctor's visit as possible ; so tickets of admission had been issued, and none 
were admitted but those who possessed them. This kept the audience select, 
and excluded disaffected persons. As early as nine o'clock, the body of the hall 
was well occupied, and the orchestra crowded with the most active supporters of 
the spiritual movement. Dr. Newton was present considerably before the hour 
advertised, and after a hymn had been sung he commenced to address the multi- 
tude much to their delight and edification. He observed that he had rarely 
before seen such a powerful and harmonious influence ; and his words seemed to 
increase it. As the Doctor threw out his hands and imparted repeated shocks, 
many were visibly affected thereby. Having finished his remarks, the Doctor 
descended to the space around which the sick were congregated in the middle 
of the hall, and commenced his work. The Doctor's first process was to impart 
the healing power to a number of these, and I heard that in the afternoon of the 
same day they had exercised it most successfully. A good deal of time was 
wasted in examining and treating incurable cases. A number were brought 
whose eyes were completely gone, and it would have been as impossible to 
restore their sight as it would be to cause a new limb to grow from the old stump. 
Such misapplication of the power always interferes with its successful action, as 
I heard it explained ; but it seems hard to keep any away, especially as they 
may receive benefit in some form. During the morning, some excellent cures 
were performed ; but I shall not detail them at present, as I hope to be able to 
communicate to you the general results soon. Mr. Longbottom took down a 
great number of names, and our friends contemplate visiting them, and learning 
what effect the Doctor's treatment had on them. One case was very marked. 
A poor old man was brought in a feeble state, and, from the heat, excitement, 
fatigue, or all combined, was placed before the Doctor in a dying state. His 
eyes were fixed in his head, his jaws fell, and he was getting quite cold. The 
Doctor attended to him vigorously, the efforts used were successful, and the old 
man got up and walked away, filled with gratitude. 

v 



244 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

Shortly after twelve o'clock, the Doctor gave over till the afternoon, and the 
large hall of the Mechanics' Institution, in which the healing took place, was 
turned into a dining-room, as many who attended had come from villages round — 
some great distances ; others had come from Selby, on the east ; Manchester, 
on the west; Shelly, on the south; and Keighley, on the north: so that it was a 
general gathering of people from all the districts around. 

By two o'clock the hall was crowded to excess in every part, as on this occa- 
sion the gallery was filled, and the healing went on for two hours, as in the 
morning. The efforts used by the Doctor astonished all who beheld him at 
work. When he had done, the perspiration saturated his clothing, even to the 
outside of his coat. I placed my hand on his back, and it was quite wet, and a 
friend who visited his room in the evening saw two shirts hanging to dry, stained 
with perspiration all over. He operated on no less than 500 or 600 during 
the day. 

In the evening, a public meeting was held in the same hall, at which a sermon 
was preached by our old friend Mr. James Burns, of London. It was a noble 
audience, as there would be quite 1200 people present; and it was a noble 
address, well worthy of the occasion. It seemed to cause the speaker no 
trouble, but to his hearers it was the means of useful instruction and deep grati- 
fication. Dr. Xewton dismissed the audience with his benediction, and so 
terminated a great day. 

On Monday morning the hotel at which Dr. Newton stopped, adjoining the 
hall, was besieged by a throng of sick and disabled in various ways, but the 
landlord did not relish the idea of such a motley throng invading his highly- 
respectable and well-kept premises. Application was made to the authorities 
of the Mechanics' Hall, but they denied the use of the building for the purpose 
of healing the sick. Mr. Ambler led the way to the little hall at the Stanary, 
and there Dr. Xewton treated a large number of people. 

I must mention one very interesting circumstance. Mrs. Sagar, of Bradford, 
had sustained a severe illness, which had deprived her of memory for a number 
of weeks. She thought that the lady who attended to her was her mother. She 
did not know her own husband, and persistently refused to occupy the same bed 
with him. In this state she visited Dr. Xewton at the Stanary on Monday, and 
as soon as she received his aid, all her memory returned to her, and she was 
relieved of this very distressing and unusual affliction. Mrs. Sagar is a very 
good seer, and she looked on the scene with great delight, observing the spirits 
aiding Dr. Xewton in his work. She said she could perceive the Doctor stand- 
ing spiritually with his feet as high as his physical head. Over him stood a 
spiritual personage whom she described as Jesus, but so bright that she could 
scarcely look at Him. As the Doctor treated his patient this bright spirit 
dropped sparkling objects like stars, wdiich descended upon the person receiving 
the healing influence. The Doctor bestowed the healing power on Mrs. Scho- 
field, of Manchester, on Mr. Ambler, and upon others ; and Mrs. Sagar seemed to 
be specially enraptured with the spiritual part of the process. She could see a 
number of spirits attending the bright spirit referred to before, and a group of 
little cherubs dancing round the scene. 



IN THE PROVINCES. 245 

During the afternoon the hotel was again mobbed by an expectant crowd, 
who were anxious* to be touched by the great healer, but as there was no oppor- 
tunity for him to do so, he left with the evening train for London, a large pro- 
cession escorting him to the railway station. 

In the evening, a lecture on the scientific consideration of spiritualism was 
given in the Mechanics' Hall, by Mr. Burns, to a very attentive audience ; Mr. 
Ambler in the chair. At the close, William Bedford, of Salterhebble, near 
Halifax, publicly testified as to the advantages conferred on him by Dr. 
Newton. 



CURES AT HALIFAX. 

( To the Editor of the Medium and Daybreak!) 

I have not had time to get more than the below for this week, but will send 
you more next. 

John Longbottom. 

Sowerby Bridge, near Halifax. 

Mary Helen Broomhead, 6 Pearson Street, Halifax; weakness in the knees, 
and general weakness ; since she visited Dr. Newton she has been a great deal 
better. She has not been able to walk so well for upwards of four years as she 
can at present. 

John Ellis, Rang Bank, Halifax ; rheumatics ; has gradually improved ever 
since the operation. 

Hannah Tomlinson, Horton Bank Bottom, near Bradford ; watery eyes ; 
very bad for three or four years ; they are now much better and gradually im- 
proving. 

James Blackburn, Siddle, near Halifax ; blind of one eye ; his neighbors 
told me that he can now see to read large print with the same eye that was 
blind. 

Mary Walker, Saw-wood Green, Stainland, near Halifax; pain in the 
back, and noise in the head ; quite well. 

David Binns, Pellon, Halifax ; consumption ; he is very much better, and 
continues to improve. 

Mr. Blackburn's child, Union Street, Halifax; was deaf; made to hear 
by the touch or. Dr. Newton, and continues to hear. 

William Bedford, Bottoms, Salterhebble, Halifax ; rheumatics nine years 
and ten months, as previously reported , continues to walk without his crutch ; he 
has had no relapse whatever ; he is very thankful that he can walk so well, for 
he had given up all hope of ever walking again. 

William Longbottom, Ovenden Wood, near Halifax ; rheumatics, or 
sciatica in the hip. I saw him eight days after the operation, and his pains had 
not returned up to then ; he does not remember being free from pain for one 
day for the last three years. 



246 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

DR. NEWTON AT ANDOVER. 

Sixty-seven miles from London, on the South-Western Railway, in a sweet 
valley amongst the chalk hills, stands the clean and picturesque town of Andover, 
numbering some 6000 inhabitants. The Doctor went down on Saturday evening 
last, accompanied by Nicholas Kilburn, jun., Esq., of Bishop Auckland, and Mr. 
James Burns, of the Progressive Library, who was just in time to address the 
expectant meeting which awaited his arrival in the Temperance Hall. The 
lecture was plain and intelligible, and the cordial manner of the lecturer carried 
his audience along with him to the last. Dr. Newton was received with a storm 
of applause, and spoke a few suitable words. He then treated a poor woman 
suffering from defective vision, and she declared herself benefited. 

Then the enthusiasm of the audience knew no bounds, and they went home 
much satisfied with their evening's entertainment. On Sunday morning at 
10.30 Dr. Newton found the hall literally packed. After a hymn, he gave one 
of the best speeches we have heard him make. His remarks embraced the 
whole sphere of religious belief, and it had great weight with his audience ; then 
the treatment commenced, and was highly successful. We hope to give the 
facts at another time. The company was hartnonious, the influence good, and 
the results satisfactory. It was curious to observe that a number of cases of the 
same disease came in succession. It would be heart disease for a few times, 
then stammering, swollen glands, deafness, or blindness. Many were benefited, 
and others restored at once. Some cases of defective hearing received marked 
improvement, so much so that they could hear a low whisper. 

An old gentleman who wore a wooden leg came forward to have his ears 
treated. The Doctor asked him if he did not feel a peculiar numbness and 
uncomfortable feeling in the stump, extending into the space where the ampu- 
tated limb had been. The gentleman said, "Yes, I do." "Then," said Dr. 
Newton, "I will remove that feeling, and make you feel as if you could move 
your toes, though you have no toes." Having received an operation from Dr. 
Newton, the gentleman said he felt much better in that portion of the limb 
which remained, and that he experienced a power as if he could bend his foot 
and move his toes. Dr. Newton explained that this was a sensation arising 
from the spiritual leg, which could not be cut off, but the amputation had inter- 
fered with the flow of the spiritual principle into the spiritual leg and foot, and 
thus the uncomfortable and numb feeling which Dr. Newton had removed by 
his healing power. We understand that the Doctor has had a number of such 
cases in his experience, and he holds that it goes to prove the existence of the 
spiritual body. 

In the afternoon an entirely new congregation met the Doctor, as the tickets 
for the two services had been given to different people. These new comers 
were disposed to be rude and boisterous, like the Paddington Lunarites, and Dr. 
Newton operated with defective power and difficulty. Nothing could so clearly 
prove Dr. Newton's mediumship as his great susceptibility to conditions, 
which have a very distinct effect on the healing power and his comfort in exer- 
cising it. It was considered expedient to suspend treatment and give some 



IN THE PROVINCES. 247 

instruction to the audience. J. Burns therefore read the manifesto of Dr. Burns, 
from No. 14 of The Medium ; then Dr. Newton's cures at Dr. Burns' 
chapel, from last Medium ; and before that time quiet and deep attention 
had been established. The speaker then proceeded to give a telling address, 
which brought the audience into full harmony with the objects of the meeting, 
and Dr. Newton declared that his power was equal to almost any demand that 
might be made upon it. He then treated all who came forward ; no applications 
were left unattended to, either in the morning or afternoon. 

In the evening the Temperance Hall was crammed with a highly respectable 
and attentive audience, and J. Burns delivered his address on the " Healing 
Power" with great effect, and to the evident satisfaction of his hearers. 

We would be glad to add copious notes to these cases if space permitted. 
We cannot refrain from noticing the case of a young lady deaf and dumb since 
she was two and a half years old. She was brought before Dr. Newton at the 
Temperance Hall, but he pronounced her incurable. She was, however, taken 
to his rooms in the afternoon, and after much care and labor she was made to 
hear distinctly ; but it was difficult to realize the fact, as she did not understand 
the import of words when she heard them; and for the same reason she could 
not make any reply. The ears were, however, very sensitive, for when she was 
spoken to loudly she shrank as if the effect were painful, and she could distinctly 
hear noises made by rapping on the fire-shovel. We shall be glad to hear how 
this interesting case progresses. Another noteworthy case was that of Mr. 
Grew, the landlord of the Clarenden Hotel. He was brought on Saturday 
totally blind ; he could only see a kind of mist, but could not discern any object. 
He did not seem to be benefited on Saturday, but he came again on Sunday 
afternoon, when special attention was paid to him, which resulted' in his being 
able to distinguish the fingers of his hand, and the shape of a small white book 
that was held before him. A gentleman was treated at the Temperance Hall 
whose right arm was shrunk and paralyzed. He had not been able to put his 
hand to his mouth for years. After treatment he raised the dwarfed hand to his 
mouth and kissed it with fervor. A number of cases were cured instantly, and 
a greater proportion would become so if the Doctor's directions were carried 
out. 

The following cases have been authenticated : — 

Mrs. Chevers, Penton, neuralgia of long standing — cured ; no return of the 
pain, which completely left her at the time of treatment. Mr. Benham, Wild- 
hern, pains in the head — cured. Master Tull, Andover, stammering — cured. 
Master Povey, Andover, deafness — better. Miss Brooks, Penton, deafness — 
cured. 

DOCTOR NEWTON AT NORTHAMPTON. 

The people of this town had full satisfaction in the events of last Sunday. 
By ten o'clock, patients and on-lookers began to arrive at the Temperance Hall, 
where the healing took place. As the Doctor went up the court he encountered 



248 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

an old man, very lame, and walking with difficulty on two crutches. The cripple 
received treatment there and then in the open air, and went away with his 
crutches on his shoulder. An old lady was next brought up in a Bath chair. 
One of her legs was much contracted, and she could not walk. Dr. Newton 
operated on her, and she was soon walking round the enclosure. Ultimately, she 
went up into the hall. A little lame girl from Higham Ferrers, who had made 
the pilgrimage of sixteen miles on the previous Sunday, again attended. She 
received considerable benefit, and, if the instructions given by the Doctor are 
followed up, no doubt she will be entirely cured. 

The scene in the hall was one of respectful eagerness. All were anxious to 
see what went on, but there was no interruption or unseemly conduct. A strong 
body of sympathizers, including several mediums, surrounded the space where 
the Doctor operated. The patients were led forward as they were required, and 
many departed very much benefited. We have never seen the Doctor in 
greater power, or witnessed more positive effects proceeding from his treatment. 
There was a great number of deaf cases. One lady came forward and said, 
" You need not speak to me ; I am deaf." In a minute she was listening to 
ordinary conversation with great ease. A few such cases were incurable, whilst 
others heard the lowest whisper. The editor of the Advertiser and the reporter 
of the Herald were within the enclosure, taking notes, and, if they are disposed 
to tell the truth, they can testify to a number of such cases. Several remarkable 
cases of lameness were most successfully dealt with. One young man went aw r ay 
with his crutch over his shoulder ; another, from Rushden, was cured of stam- 
mering ; a lady was successfully treated for loss of voice ; and various tumors 
were dispersed from the throats of others. A little girl was so contorted that 
she had to walk on two feet and one hand. After a minute's painless treatment, 
she was enabled to walk on her feet alone, but considerably bent. The Doctor 
gave directions for her thorough restoration. We have no notes of the general 
course of the day's proceedings, but the friends there have taken full particulars 
of many cases, which we shall offer when they have been thoroughly investi- 
gated. The influence produced upon the spectators was profound ; — some came 
greatly doubting, but went away with their opinions very much changed. 

Dr. Newton gave an address at the close of his healing, which recommended 
him warmly to the affections and judgment of all present. We never heard him 
speak better. It was from the heart to the heart, and was accepted in the kindly 
and touching spirit in which it was uttered. The audience seemed startled by 
what they had seen and heard that morning, and dispersed in that state of won- 
derment and absentness of mind which characterizes those who are thoroughly 
puzzled and driven away from their usual moorings. 

The same journal, of a later date, says : 

From Northampton the following letter has been received : — 

The friends at Northampton desire to express their sincere thanks to Dr. 
Newton, who came to do good, not even accepting his travelling expenses. 
These are all the cases we have been able to collect at present ; we will forward 



THE HEALER IN EUROPE. 249 

you more as they come to hand. Many are much better, but would not have it 

mentioned on any account. 

Signed on behalf of the Committee, 

Wm. White, Far Catton. 

J. C. Cheshire. 

44 Lawrence Street, Northampton, September 28, 1870. 

William White, Far Catton ; rheumatics ; cured. 

Harriet Clark, Henley Street, Far Catton ; lost the use of two fingers 34 
years ; cured. 

John Pinkhard, Far Catton ; nervous debility and defective sight; cured. 

John Draper, James's End ; heart disease ; better. 

Elijah Webb, Cromwell Street ; enlarged elbow; much better. 

Mrs. Robinson, Arundel Street; walked with stick three years; has not 
required it since the Doctor's treatment. 

James Sutton, Old Wharf Yard, Bridge Street, had been obliged to use 
crutches for four years ; carried his crutches away and has not used them since. 
He desires to express his hearty thanks to the Doctor. He still uses a stick, 
because some time ago he had some bone taken out of the knee, which left one 
leg shorter than the other. This was the man that was cured in the yard — Dr. 
Newton's first case. He could scarcely stand without his crutches when Dr. 
Newton treated him. 

DR. NEWTON AT KINGSTON-ON-THAMES. 

The Temperance Lyceum in Brick Lane was the scene of a very successful 
public healing season on Sunday morning last. The audience was select and re- 
spectful, and the patients more than ordinarily sympathetic. Some very remark- 
able cures were made, which we understand will be reported in the Sicrrey Comet 
of this week. Dr. Newton bestowed the healing power on a few who had applied 
for it, and his remarks during the morning were closely to the point and impressed 
his audience very favorably. 

AT NOTTINGHAM. 

J. M. Peebles, in a letter to J. Burns, this speaks of Dr. Newton's success at 
Nottingham : — 

On Sunday morning the doctor's powers were marvellous. All whom he 
touched in the Assembly Rooms were either healed or wonderfully improved. 
The conditions were excellent. All seemed elated. Oh, how poorly stupid 
worldly externalists comprehend the nicety of spirit forces, and the necessity of 
right conditions ! The doctor's visit to Nottingham will never be forgotten. 

CURE OF SPINAL DISEASE. 

To the Editor of the Medium and Daybreak : — Sir, — I feel it my duty 
to inform you that up to the 7th August of the present year I had been for nearly 
a year and a half afflicted with a spinal disease, for which I had been attended by 
both local and London practitioners, but from whom I had received no benefit — 



25O THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

one, in fact, having told me that mine was a hopeless case ! After being for less 
than three minutes with Dr. Newton, who kindly called upon me on the 7th of 
August, I not then being able to walk, even across the room, without assistance, 
after he placed his healing hands on me I was able to walk out, unaided, for more 
than a mile, and since that time I have enjoyed most excellent health, and have 
been nearly as active as I ever was in my life. I most solemnly assert the truth 
of this statement for the benefit of others, and hereunto sign my name. 

Eliza Penfold. 
[Residence not given.] 

The following instance is given in The Medium, of a cure by one 
to whom the healing power was imparted by Dr. Newton ■ 

A TESTIMONY TO THE HEALING POWER. 

The lady who was cured of a terrible affliction by the healing, power, as 
noticed in a paragraph in No. 21 of the Medium, sends us a testimony in her own 
handwriting, and desires to make her name known for the truth's sake and the 
good of humanity. She had been a maniac for a month, had eaten no food, medi- 
cal aid was of no avail, and she was in the most hopeless condition. The follow- 
ing is her letter, dated Llanelly : — 

"Finding that you have the account of my cure in Medium No. 21, headed, 
' The Advantages of the Healing Power,' as a proof of the genuineness of the 
paragraph, allow me to say that I have not as yet had the slightest return of the 
old symptoms, and I feel that I am as sane as ever I was in any portion of my 
life. Words cannot express the thankfulness I feel at being restored, in mind 
and body, in so short a time, and to be able to enjoy the society of my dear 
friends again. They are no less thankful than myself, and often look upon me 
with wonder and astonishment at my very rapid recovery. May God's choicest 
blessings continually fall on Dr. Newton, you, and all those connected with this 
glorious cause, is the most earnest prayer of one who has received such great 
benefit through his mediumship. 

"M. F. Young." 

It was through the agency of her brother, James F. Young, that Miss Young 
was cured. She then lived in Dorsetshire, and Mr. Young was sent for from 
Wales to treat his sister, and from the instant he operated on her after the man- 
ner of Dr. Newton, she was completely restored, and has had no relapse, but a 
rapid improvement in every respect. As she was nearly wasted away by her ill- 
ness and abstinence, her brother observes in a letter, " We can scarcely believe 
our sight when we look at the change that has taken place in so short a time. 
Surely my visit to Southampton Row (where Dr. Newton imparted to Mr. Young 
the healing power) was not in vain. I told you I was impelled to go. I know a 
party that was cured, by thinking of Dr. Newton, of bronchitis, severe pain in 
the back, and neuralgia, before the publication of my case, and without his hav- 
ing any knowledge of it at all. This proves that my cure was no myth. (It must 
be remembered that it was Mr. Young and his wife who were cured of severe 



THE HEALER IN EUROPE. , 25 1 

pains by thinking of Dr. Newton before his arrival in England ; the cases were 
reported at the time in the current numbers of Daybreak and Human Nature.) I 
gave Dr. Newton's carte to a traveller, who immediately felt the shock up his 
arm. I have since proved him to be a capital mesmeric subject, and he is now 
an investigator. So the truth goes marching on." 

From The Manchester Examiner and Times. 
DR. NEWTON, THE HEALER. 

Sir, — Permit me, in the interest of truth, to express a few remarks in refer- 
ence to Dr. Newton. On the first arrival of Dr. Newton in Liverpool he oper- 
ated on from 30 to 40 patients, all of whom were, with one exception, either cured 
or relieved of complaints more or less serious or painful, of which almost the 
only fair reports have been given since he came to this country. And in 
London and other towns hundreds (including myself) have already seen in the 
persons of our friends the benefits which have been conferred through Newton's 
instrumentality. There can be no doubt in the mind of any fair critic that 
hundreds in this country have been entirely cured, while hundreds more have 
been benefited, and some of the cases of cure have been so thorough, so instan- 
taneous, and so marvellous, (seeing that medical science had already done its best 
for the patient,) that any single one of these were enough to give the healer a 
life-long fame ; and it is no doubt from these cases, which could not fairly be de- 
nied, that editors and reporters, ignorant of the occult laws, have coined the term 
" miracle," knowing that public ignorance and prejudice would revolt at a proof 
of God's unchangeability and fulfilment of a Scripture promise that " These signs 
should follow them that believe," &c, &c, Mark xvi., 17-18. " And greater works 
than these shall ye do." The public seem to forget this. Dr. Newton is not, 
and has never called himself a " miracle worker," nor did he ever profess to re- 
lieve pain or disease other than by magnetism, partly from his own brain and 
body, but more especially from a great multitude of spirits or angels, messengers 
of the Most High. Again, is there anything wonderful in Dr. Newton having as 
much power as Peter ? or rousing the indignation of the unchristian bigots of to- 
day any more than that of the Sadducees then ? Acts v., 15, 16, 17. 

Like Jesus, Dr. Newton is said to do these things by the chief of the devils, 
to which we would reply, success to him when he does good. But if " Satan " is 
divided against himself how shall he stand ? or " can Satan cast out Satan ? " 

As to blaming Satan for these wonders, he ought rather to be praised. He 
seems to have been reforming for centuries. He has had the credit of inspiring 
Pope Sylvester II. to make the first clock go with weights that was ever made in 
Europe. Certainly it was a rude one ; still it did credit to the devil. Besides 
which he has had the credit of nearly every important discovery and reform by 
which the world has been advanced. Jesus was laughed to scorn, despised, 
rejected, reviled, smote on the head, mocked, and spat upon by the elders, chief 
priests, scribes, and pharisees. lie was condemned as a Sabbath-breaker for 
curing a withered hand, and even " Pilate knew that the chief priests had 
delivered him from envy." He was considered an infidel because he spoke in 



252 ' THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

advance of his time, and should He become re-incarnate to-day, would professing 
Christians treat him any better? 

As I have had some experience in mesmerism, I may be allowed to contrast 
Dr. Newton's power with mesmerism as applied by myself and other mesmerists, 
and also at the London Mesmeric Infirmary, 36 Weymouth Street, Portland 
Place, which was founded in 1849 by the late talented Dr. Ellison, F. R.S., since 
which it has been so successful in its object — viz., "the alleviation and cure of 
disease, and relief and prevention of pain by mesmerism, and mesmerism only" — 
as is to be seen by the report of this establishment, which was for ten years pre- 
sided over by the late Dr. Whately, Archbishop of Dublin. Dr. Newton has 
many times given more relief in one day than four ordinary mesmerists would do 
in twelve months. And I have no hesitation in saying that no single brain could 
generate magnetism in the quantity thrown off by him ; and it is only when we 
consider him a medium through whom the spirits pour their magnetism that we 
can account for his marvellous work. There have been hundreds of medium- 
istic patients who, like the one so successfully treated on Monday last at Halifax, 
have seen and described beautiful people throwing down showers of light on Dr. 
Newton. Magnetism thus seen by sensitives is luminous ! There are hundreds 
of healing mediums besides Dr. Newton, though few so powerful; and there are 
thousands of mediumistic persons who would make healers quite as good as he, 
if they would yield themselves to it. " The harvest is great, but the laborers 
are few." 

The names and addresses of a number of persons who have been cured, very 
few of whom are spiritualists, are published in the spiritualists' publications, 
particularly the Medium and Daybreak, with which most spiritualists are more 
or less acquainted. 

Dr. Newton is but a repetition of a vast number of similar cases recorded in 
the history of the Church — for instance, that of the Cure of Ars. Oh, but that 
was only a piece of Roman Catholic knavery. What, " can no good thing come 
out of Nazareth ? " When we consider that two or three hundred cases have to 
be operated upon in a couple of hours, is it any wonder that many should go 
away unrelieved ? Even suppose he had ample time in every case, many must 
necessarily be past cure in this life. Even of Jesus we are told that because of 
their unbelief in His own country, " He could there do no mighty works," — 
Mark vi. 5. 

But Dr. Newton will continue his work until the press is compelled to 
acknowledge his gift. He will give evidence of the perfection of God's economy, 
and the possibility of the annihilation of disease and pain by the proper applica- 
tion of natural laws, the power of spirit over material forces, which will cheer the 
materialist with the knowledge of a future life, and point the Church to heaven 
for truth which shall stream down the celestial telegraph, and compel them to 
receive it. 

With full confidence in your wish to be impartial in this matter, and that you 

will grant me the opportunity of defending my view of the case, I beg to remain, 

yours respectfully, 

. T. C. Davies 

Te?7iperance Hall, Grosvenor-street, Manchester, July 5th, 1870. 



SOME ENGLISH VIEWS. 253 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

SOME ENGLISH VIEWS. — FAREWELL TO ENGLAND. 

Address by J. Burns, Esq. — "God is Love" and "is Spirit." — The Creator manifested 
everywhere as Love or Attraction. — Dr. Newton has a peculiar Organization. — Re- 
ceives and Transmits Power from the Universal Spirit. — How to get en rapport with 
the Divine Mind. — Healing in the name of God. — The Power inexhaustible. — " A 
Mighty Fact " and " A New Science." — Another View. — " No Miracles." — Health may 
be Propagated by Contagion. — The Healer leaves London for America. — Farewell 
Soiree. — Speeches by Mr. Shorter, Dr. Newton, and Mr. Burns. — Parting Words of 
an English Journal. — Dr. Newton's Observations. — A Corroboration. 

Before proceeding to chronicle Dr. Newton's departure from 
England, we will put on record some significant and valuable ex- 
pressions of opinion from English minds, relative to the source and 
nature of the healing power. The first is from Mr. James Burns, 
editor of the Medium and Dayb?'eak, who had extensive opportuni- 
ties of studying the exhibitions of this power through Dr. Newton, 
and who gives evidence of possessing a penetrating and philo- 
sophic mind. 

ON THE HEALING POWER OF DR. NEWTON. 

{An Address delivered at Cavendish Rooms, London, by y. Burns.) 

Taking as his motto, " God is love," and " Love is the link that binds in 
one all human souls to God," Mr. Burns remarked that throughout all ages men 
had striven to obtain rational, pure, and elevating conceptions of God. This 
was specially apparent in the chapter he had just read, where it was said, " Ye 
worship ye know not what : we know what we worship." There are two lead- 
ing views of the nature of God. The one was that God was a spirit, or as it was 
more philosophical to say, God is spirit, for " a spirit " implies that there were 
more spirits than one, but there could only be room for one infinite spirit, hence 
God must be the spirit and substance of all spiritual being. The other view was 
the anthropomorphous, which conceived a God made in the image of man. Men 
pictured to themselves a certain being after the cast of their own mind, to which 



2 54 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

thev attributed locality and personality, so that he became a great man, good or 
bad, according to the plane of the worshipper, but, in any case, a man made 
after the image of man. 

He was aware that inquiry into the nature of God was much deprecated in 
some quarters. It was laid down by the various sects, that we should not in- 
quire into the matter, but should accept the forms of thought which had been 
transmitted to us from our ancestors. All progress, however, in the social ele- 
vation of man had taken place in epochs when men had broken away from the 
churches, persuasions, and sects of the dine, and had acquired original views of 
the nature of God. 

This was the case at the commencement of the Hebrew dispensation, when 
Moses laid down a theology which kept the Hebrews together, and gave them a 
a distinct position. Jesus, again, broke away entirely from Jewish theology and 
teaching, and was considered an infidel and blasphemer. He went into his own 
consciousness and discovered God, as in the passage he had just read — " God is 
Spirit." No philosopher, scientist, or metaphysician had ever been able to go 
beyond that definition ; indeed, very few minds had been able to understand it, 
for the human mind could realize only things which it became acquainted with 
by experience or consciousness. Hence the difficulty of understanding the defi- 
nition " spirit," infinite spirit, or God, which could only be received by human 
growth and development. 

We looked on God as male, but we did not know that God was either male 
or female ; rather there was in the Godhead the sum and substance of all the at- 
tributes of being, male and female ; and it might be that there were conditions 
of being in which male and female were blended into one being. 

Some religionists deprecated the notion of a personal God ; others held that 
to give up this was to make God nothing. Some could not think of anything in 
the abstract, just as sora: children could not conceive the number of five unless 
they were shown fiv: apples ; and the human mind being always in a state of in- 
fancv, never arriving at maturity or end, we all required certain objective forms 
and conditions in order to understand certain truths. It was therefore neces- 
sary for some to add material attributes, such as personality, to the Deity, in or- 
der to conceive of his existence. 

He would offer a thought which might perhaps bring the holders of the two 
views together. God was one condition in the question and man the other. 
Now there was no difference of opinion as to man being personal; he must re- 
ceive all impressions and sensations through his personality. Hence, though 
God might be illimitable, unobjective, unlike humanity in every sense except as 
to those attributes of His nature which we derived from Him, He must appear 
personal to us. We had a personal relation to Him, for He was the God and 
Father of each of us. This was the nearest we could get to the higher con- 
sciousness of spirit. 

As to love it was in its phenomenal aspect a universal attraction, or forma- 
tive power in everything. Water attracted water, as in the rain-drops which run 
down the window-pane. Everything attracted its kind, and this power had 
created all things. God, therefore, as a Creator, was represented in love, in at- 



SOME ENGLISH VIEWS. 255 

traction. Tne crystals in a piece of rock were formed by attraction ; kindred 
atoms drew themselves together ; then they might be gathered by mechanical . 
means to form a rock. In plants we found a higher form of attraction : oats, 
beans, flowers of various kinds, living in the same elements, with the same air, 
moisture, and earth, attracted different combinations of substances, so that a 
a ranunculus was poisonous, a rose fragrant, and corn nourishing. In the aerial 
kingdom also various species perpetuated themselves, and remained distinct 
from others, so that man had not been able to blend the well-marked lines with 
which nature had separated them. 

In man there was the same law. Every man had idiosyncracies, desires, and 
impulses which were not on the same plane as those around him, and, as far as 
we could learn, this individuality would be retained through all eternity. A seer 
could see love ; could see the chain which connected kindred atoms and kindred 
minds. The psychometrist, on putting a piece of rock to her forehead, would 
explain its nature and describe the physical scenes under which it had been 
brought into its present condition. Bring a pebble from a cave, and she would 
tell you how animals had herded in that cave, and how savage men made it their 
home before the dawn of civilization in that country. Take her into a field and 
she would see the different emanations, the different glow of vitality, in the veins 
of each plant. So each animal presented a different appearance to her, and she 
could see the attractive principle connected with its life. Hold a magnet over a 
piece of iron, and she would see streaming from its poles the light which at- 
tracted the iron. 

The world was in continual change ; everything in the universe was continu- 
ally changing its substance, continually giving off and attracting something. As 
soon as the life principle went out it decayed and became part of other objects. 
Stone from the quarry, though it might remain intact hundreds or even thou- 
sands of years, eventually decayed, when it became incapable of receiving and 
giving off the flow of life. Every mineral, plant, or man had a different quality 
of this love principle. Persons preferred particular trades because their love 
principle was on a plane with the substances they delighted to work with. He 
had had a young man brought to him whom he told that he worked in the iron trade, 
and that if he continued at it he would never have good health, but would dwindle 
away, be unhappy, and be laid in an early grave. He therefore advised him to 
become a carpenter, gardener, or whatever suited his temperament, and the young 
man on making the change would at once become well. Some did well in a par- 
ticular trade, while others would become ill and prematurely old in it. This ex- 
plained the preference for different pursuits. 

Every organ of the body and mind gave off a different love principle. The 
bony structure, the muscular system, the arterial blood, the venous blood, the 
nerves, the viscera had all various vital principles and loves which connected 
them with the conditions around them. So with the brain, the executive organs 
had one love principle, the perception another, memory, the reflective organs, 
the intuitive, the esthetic, the social, the ipsial, each a different principle, while 
the spiritual organs, if in activity, gave off their particular light. Hence, to the 
clairvoyant the human body was a wonderful temple more beautiful than any 



256 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

illuminated city, the various organs giving off their distinct lights, which formed 
a kind of halo around the individual. 

Now, how far did this philosophy influence Spiritualism? How far would it 
explain the healing powers of Dr. Newton and others, and the quality of spiritual 
manifestations? Dr. Newton had a peculiar organization. He had a full formed 
body, and large social brain, indicating great vital power; his hair, skin, the 
structure of his body was remarkably fine, and though what would be called a 
stout, he was by no means a gross man. lie developed a considerable amount 
of that peculiar magnetism which sustained vitality and was the cause and pro- 
duct of vital action. His brain culminated in the centre, there being a ridge of 
brain right in the centre, showing remarkable powers of will and concentration. 
Vague wide heads had vague wide characters, while narrow heads had powers of 
concentration and more control over the direction of their minds. Again, he had 
a peculiar susceptibility which made him conscious of the conditions of those 
around him. He could not undertake to explain the laws of that peculiar sus- 
ceptibility, for they had not been thoroughly discussed. 

Dr. Newton had power to influence people through the various parts of his 
organization ; first, by direct vital action. This did not depend on the patient, 
for the other day he was riding in a cab, and the horse was taken with the " stag- 
gers," reeling in a violent way. He went up to it, and cured it instant!)'', so that 
it was able to go on. Now, as the horse had no imagination, mind, or convic- 
tions, Dr. Newton must have appealed to some vital condition connected with the 
nervous system, for it could only receive those qualities which it could assimilate. 
With human beings it was somewhat different. 

How conscious Dr. Newton was of his powers of healing ! He never had any 
doubt whether he would cure or not. When he saw a case he could not cure he 
said so at once, though he sometimes tried in desperate cases and did not succeed. 
It was imperative that he should remain continually in that frame of mind which 
convinced him of his success. The difference between him and us was that he 
was conscious of his power, while we were conscious of our want of power. If we 
were as conscious of the power to heal, we could do a great deal, though perhaps 
not so well as Dr. Newton. No person could do what he did not think he could. 
One might understand the philosophy of healing, it might be in the memory, but 
the thing must be in the will ; if it was both in the understanding and the will, it 
was in a person completely. Dr. Newton did not understand the whys and 
wherefores, but he had it in his will, and hence he could do so much, for the will 
inspired both him and those he came in contact with. 

The emanations depended on the state of the organs. If our organs were 
healthy and under a certain conviction, they would give off that influence and con- 
viction unto others. Hence, if a medium was seated among skeptics, no phe- 
nomena occurred. Skepticism was opposed to what it did not understand, and 
unless the positive influence of conviction was predominant in the circle, the 
skeptics for that occasion would triumph. If a person doubted whether he could 
heal, his skepticism would affect his mind, and put him in the same position of 
impotency and weakness as yourself. Healers must be conscious of their power, 
for it passed into the minds of others, and promoted the cure. The first step 



SOME ENGLISH VIEWS. 257 

was the vital power, body acting on body ; and the second the biological power, 
by which the healer's mind acted on the minds of his patients, and these two re- 
stored a patient much more easily than vital magnetism, or mesmerism, as it was 
called. 

He now came to the greater question whether Dr. Newton received influences 
other than physiological and biological, mind and body were not all ; there was 
something deeper, viz., spirit. Dr. Newton said he healed people in the name of 
the Father, of God. Now the word God, merely signified good, and all that was 
good was God or godly. But what was good ? Anything that was fulfilling the 
great purposes of existence was good. There were indeed conventional ideas of 
good, for some thought it was good to get money by betting or tricks of trade, or 
to gratify some abnormal passion, but absolute good was God. Absolute good 
was what promoted our eternal happiness, and was in accordance with the un- 
changeable laws and purposes of the divine mind. A man might have amassed 
wealth, but after passing into the other life, he might find that the whole beauty 
of his existence had been frustrated, and for a man to be deprived of his wealth 
and become industrious and honest might enable him to pass into the other world 
thousands of years ahead of the point he would have reached if he had tried to 
take his wealth with him. Such a loss of wealth, though to the world a seeming 
evil, might be for his benefit, and perhaps for the benefit of myriads. 

Everything in creation was good, and from God ; all ills and sins had come 
to us from a power beyond us, but we were nearing abetter life and clearness of 
spiritual sight. God was omnipresent and omniscient, and our conceptions of 
Him were the corner-stone of human advancement. There would be a great deal 
less ingratitude and repining if men saw the Father, even in the darkest hours of 
their existence. Dr. Newton healed in the name of God, the universal spirit of 
whom we were detached fragments, as it were, hanging on to the skirts of the 
divine garments of universal existence. The divine nature flowed into every man; 
but ail were not conscious of it. Men were so encased in sense and animal feeling 
that they were unconscious of the greatest fact of their being, and denied this God 
presence. We could not understand what was above and beyond us. We could 
understand our relations to the finite, bu + not to the infinite, though these had 
been pointed out almost scientifically by elevated spirits, and Dr. Newton claimed 
that relationship. 

How should we get en rapport with the divine mind ? Merely by the love of 
doing good. If our mind were of unadulterated purity and goodness, we should 
be conscious of the divine influence in all the scenes of life around us ; but if it 
were directed by ambition, pride, petty scheming and selfishness, we should have 
none of this influx, and should undergo much misery on our crooked road before 
we saw that it was necessary to go back and start on another course. The 
healer must have the desire to do good, and he did not believe Dr. Newton could 
heal if his motive were a selfish one. "If this man were not of God (or good) 
he could do nothing." Mesmerists had driven persons into abnormal states 
through their desires not being pure and unselfish. Dr. Newton could invoke 
the power of God by his good- will. 

Some, indeed, thought it blasphemy to invoke God's power ; but if God was 

17 



258 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

our Father and was near us, nothing could be more natural than to invoke his 
power or blessing. If, on the other hand, he were a potentate, a capricious 
tyrant in the form of man, it would take a great deal of courting and whimpering 
to get favor and aid. If He was infinite goodness, we had only to love and seek 
Him to have His smile on us, and to be crowned with the success which He 
desired for whatever was good. As we gave gifts to children on account of their 
goodness, so if our objects were good He would reward us. 

This explained the philosophy of doing things in His name ; but Dr. New- 
ton also healed in the name of Jesus and other great and good souls, a matter 
which was much discussed by the press and among Spiritualists, and it was well 
it should be discussed, for it was an occult subject. Now men could cure 
diseases in the name of Dr. Newton, or of any one who had the attribute of 
healing. The spirit of every man was omnipresent, and it was beginning to be 
seen that it would be no absurdity for the spirit of Franklin to give a message, at 
the same time, to circles in London, Paris, and New York, for the spirits in cer- 
tain respects were ubiquitous. The spirit of a man might be in different places 
at the same time. (In illustration of which Mr. Burns referred to the appear- 
ance of Dr. Newton to a medium at Greenock, the result of a magnetized 
portrait of him, as described in last week's Medium. At Llanelly, in Wales, a 
person saw threads of light pass from him to Dr. Newton.) Wherever his 
influence went, he was present ; and so with all of us. Spirit knew nothing of 
time nor space. Magnetize anything, and send it to a distance, and people 
would benefit from it by being brought en rapport with the magnetizer. 

It might be asked whether, if Dr. Newton was continually giving off these 
streams, he might not become empty and exhausted ? He replied no ; for as 
Dr. Newton said, " The love which you bear unto me, I bear to others." He 
drew in the love of the persons whom he had healed, who had corresponded with 
him, or who respected and loved him. He was a receptacle which love entered 
and passed out of, with its healing benefits. * * * He also healed con- 
ditions of the mind, making some reverential who were not so before ; making 
the critical harmonious, the cynical and tartaric benevolent and charitable. We 
could get nothing, however, from a medium further than he was opened up to. 
* * * Every one was only capable of receiving what he was open to ; 
hence the different quality of messages through various mediums. Instead of 
blaming the spirits for oblique, perverted messages, we should rather blame 
ourselves. People, however, if at a respectable circle they heard lies, did not 
like to attribute it to their host, and indeed the fault might lie in themselves. 

Let us try to understand our relation to these phenomena, and to do our 
duties in life. Dr. Newton was open not only to mundane love, but to the mighty 
resources of the world of spirits, which was only another phase of the universal 
divine love. Hence streams of power accompanied the Doctor's vital or physical 
efforts to heal, giving him great potency as a healer without exhaustion. By 
shutting out the external world, and opening his inner faculties, Dr. Newton 
could bring himself en rapport with mighty spirits of the past on the plane of 
Love and Good, and bring the aid of whole communities of spirits, thousands 
strong, to the aid of humanity. This was a mighty fact, a new science, an impor- 



SOME ENGLISH VIEWS. 259 

tation into the human mind of something which had not been known, realized, or 
understood before. 

Another view is as follows : — 

THERE ARE NO "MIRACLES." 

When the Syr.an censor asked Jesus, " Art thou the King of the Jews ? " 
He answered, " Thou sayest it." That is, " You say so." In like manner 
the newspapers have styled Dr. Newton a " miracle worker," and he may well 
say to the press, " Thou sayest it," as Dr. Newton has never said so himself. A 
miracle is vulgarly supposed to be an impossibility, and the stupidity that would 
consider it possible to perform an impossible act by any means whatever, is too 
crass even to excite ridicule. A miracle is simply a phenomenon which is 
"wonderful " to the common beholder, because of its rarity, and from the fact 
that the means whereby it is produced are not understood ; but all such won- 
derful things are possible, and are therefore done according to natural law. Dr. 
Newton may have possibilities connected with him which other persons do not 
possess. As a medium, he may be open to spirit aid and influence ; and as 
endowed with certain constitutional peculiarities, he may be able to act in 
accordance with some of God's laws in a way more marked than other men. 
Hence it is correct for him to say that through the " power of God and angels " 
these things are done, which is only another phrase for natural law and spirit 
aid. It is true that all phenomena are produced by the " power of God," but 
the term is more specially applied when a beneficent and ulterior object result- 
ing in a higher good flows from the means used. The newspapers have coined 
another misrepresentation on this head, by stating that the Doctor attributes his 
success to " magnetism." We are aware that the newspaper writers do not 
know what that term means, but as the " power of God" and the "influence of 
spirits " at all times require a vehicle for their manifestation, what is the objec- 
tion to magnetism being that necessary instrumentality? 

Still another : — 

THE RELATIVE POWER OF GOOD AND OF EVIL IN THE 
WORLD, AS RECOGNIZED BY SKEPTICAL MINDS. 

( To the Editor of the Medium and Daybreak. ) 
Sir, — The controversy concerning Dr. Newton has suggested to my mind the 
following ideas, which, if you think them worth inserting, may lead to further 
discussion on the wider questions thus opened. It has always appeared to me a 
very inconsistent feature in skepticism Avith regard to Spiritualism, that while 
good spirits are denied any participation in mundane affairs, evil influences are 
admitted to be in full force ; insomuch, that when a man gives way to his bad 
passions he says the " evil spirit tempted me ; " he indulges in his particular sin, 
and blames the devil for the consequences ! But it is entirely lost sight of that 
it is in the power of every individual to invoke the good in his nature if he will. 
Sin is often pleasant — it comes in a seductive form ; and it is convenient to have 



2&0 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

a scapegoat in Satan, to bear the blame of the sin in those who have taken no 
trouble to resist the temptation. This may be a convenient doctrine, but it is a 
very dangerous one. 

Perhaps you will say, " What has this to do with Dr. Newton and his healing 
powers ? " Well, I wish to show that the same mistake as that which I have 
just pointed out exists in the popular mind with reference to the influences 
which operate for good or evil in the physical organism. Those who ridicule the 
idea of Dr. Newton's method of healing would not deny the possibility of disease 
being communicated from one individual to another by means of infection or 
contagion. It is generally admitted that a subtle poison may be introduced into 
the svstem ; no one knows whence it comes or how it acts, but the poison is 
there, and the fact is not for a moment doubted. A remarkable case of infection 
is worth recording here, as a proof of the subtle nature of the poison thus 
imparted. A saddler, who had always felt a great dread of small-pox, was 
sitting at his window looking into the principal street of a country town : the 
window and shop door were both closed. A woman passed the window, carrying 
in her arms a child whose face and neck were covered with pustules indicating 
small-pox in full force. The man before mentioned, seeing the child, felt a cold 
chill and a shudder pass through him. He said he should have the small -pox 
and die ; and his prophecy was verified. Now, what can be more difficult to 
understand than the way in which this man was affected ? Some might endeavor 
to explain the fact by suggesting that the man frightened himself into the dis- 
order. The effect of fear would be to accelerate and intensify the attack, but it 
would not produce the germs of the poison, which must by some means have 
been communicated from the one individual to the other. Well now, admitting 
all this, is there anything more remarkable in the idea that a power may exist in 
persons so constituted that they can impart health and vitality to others in the 
same inexplicable manner as poison may be introduced into the blood through 
fevers and other similar maladies ? Moreover, the mind has a great deal to do 
with influencing the condition of the body. We may exercise our " will " to 
receive or neutralize this or that, and the effect will be favorable, or prejudicial, 
or negative, according to the circumstances of the case. This may in some 
measure explain the action of the loving principle which Dr. Newton enjoins and 
practices, and which gives him so much good influence over those who meet him 
in the same kindly spirit, casting away all prejudice and unbelief. 

Yours, Sec, 

Sensitive. 

This suggestion, that health and good may be propagated by 
vifection, or contagion, as readily as can disease and evil, is doubt- 
less well-founded, and worthy the attention of all doubters of the 
reality of the healing force. In either case, a certain degree of 
receptivity of organism is requisite in order that the infection may 
take effect. This suggests the reason of the requirement oi faith 
as a condition of healing in some cases. But of that, more anon. 



SOME ENGLISH VIEWS. * 26 1 

On the 2d of September, 1870, Dr. Newton having closed his 
labors in London, left that city for Liverpool, whence he embarked 
on his return to America. Before leaving, he was tendered a fare- 
well soiree by the grateful people, the following account of which 
is condensed from the Medium and Daybreak : — 

FAREWELL SOIREE TO DR. NEWTON. 

On Tuesday evening, August 30, a very pleasant meeting took place in the 
Cambridge Hall, Newman Street, Oxford Street, at which Dr. Newton was enter- 
tained, in anticipation of his departure from London. Only four days were al- 
lowed to make the arrangements, as Dr. Newton's intention to leave London to- 
day became known as we went to press last week. * * * It was gratifying 
to witness the warm social feeling which animated every one. All seemed at 
home, and the opening song, " Home, Sweet Home," was singularly appropriate, 
and suggestive of the leading sentiment of the party assembled ; and it was in 
honor and love to a father of Spiritualism that the concourse took place, and 
goodly patriarchs in the cause conducted the proceedings. Mr. Luxmore, by 
some agreeable fatality, was in London, after a long sojourn in other parts of this 
planet. His presence at such a gathering at once involved the idea of things as 
they ought to be. With characteristic cordiality he responded to the popular 
vote that he should preside, which he did with a good taste even in excess of his 
usual sound judgment. Mr. Luxmore had seen none of Dr. Newton's doings, 
but he had heard of them, and was happy to learn that the newspapers had 
grossly exaggerated the difficulties under which the good Doctor had been placed. 
Mr. Luxmore had just returned from the broad seas, and that afternoon he had 
spent a short time with the Doctor, and from the kindly and benevolent way in 
which that gentleman spoke of his detractors and of the great work in general, 
the speaker was at once ready to participate in such a meeting as he had on that 
occasion the pleasure of presiding over. He was aware that he had missed much 
by his absence from London, but the cordial intercourse which he had had with 
the Doctor that day in a great degree compensated for the past. He called on 
Mr. Thomas Shorter to address the meeting, in the terms of a resolution which 
he read, to the effect that those present deeply sympathized with Dr. Newton and 
his mission ; that they rejoiced in his success amongst them, and fervently prayed 
that in the future his efforts for the promotion of human welfare would result in 
undiminished fruits. 

MR. SHORTER'S SPEECH. 

Mr. Shorter said that Spiritualists welcomed Dr. Newton ; even those who 
were unacquainted with the facts of his history considered it a duty to do so. 
We desired that his work should be known as widely as possible throughout the 
kingdom, and that every facility should be afforded him to carry it on. But even 
those who had the greatest confidence in the power of Dr. Newton could not 
help expressing their misgivings as to his success amongst us. We do not attrib 
ute to Dr. Newton, nor does Dr. Newton claim, the power of working miracles, 



262 ' THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

in the ordinary sense of that word. We have not regarded this power as some- 
thing in violation of natural laws, whatever its nature may be, but we have re- 
garded it as a divine power operating through natural laws ; but knowing the 
strength of sectarian bigotry, and the ease with which prejudice might be roused, 
we had our misgivings and apprehensions. I am happy to say, however, that Dr. 
Newton has met with greater success than his friends looked for, and which is 
even beyond his own most sanguine anticipations. He has visited Liverpool, 
Nottingham, Andover, Kingston, Maidstone, and other places, and wherever he 
has gone he has left behind him monuments of his power. Many of these cases 
our friend Mr. Harrison has, with great pains and care, collected ; these cases he 
has published, giving the names and addresses of the persons cured. These in- 
clude not merely chronic cases, but every conceivable malady ; and amongst his 
patients he has had many persons of note and standing. Mr. Jenckin is well 
known through the press, in consequence of his ill-treatment in Spain last year. 
Mr. Jenckin's eyes were affected by this ill-usage, but were cured by Dr. Newton 
in the course of a few moments : he has published this fact with his own signa- 
ture, and has repeated it in my hearing. Mr. Van Meter, a well-known American 
philanthropist, has also been cured of paralysis, and he also has publicly testified 
to the genuineness of the cure ; and had these gentlemen been in town, so as to 
be present this evening, they would corroborate all I say, and I make this state- 
ment on their behalf. Another case is that of a gentleman who had had a tumor 
on his breast for two months, and had been treated by many doctors, but without 
obtaining any relief. He visited Dr. Newton, and is now entirely cured. Dr. 
Newton has been with us now four months, and I am sure, during that time, all 
who have made his personal acquaintance and friendship must feel their esteem 
and love for him increase in proportion to the intimacy with which they have been 
acquainted with him, for his geniality, suavity of temper, and kindness of dispo- 
sition — for his valor and urbanity. I use this term advisedly, for valor does not 
merely consist in physical bravery, but in that sort of bravery that faces the 
world's prejudices and brings peace on earth and goodwill toward men. This is 
the valor which Dr. Newton has prominently exhibited. He has borne all oppo- 
sition with equanimity, without any spirit of retaliation ; it has moved him to no 
single angry word or feeling towards his opponents. We must all respect a man 
who comes among us thus — who is thus able to brave all the taunts of prejudice 
which have been manifested towards him. I think we should express our grati- 
tude towards him, arising from the benefit we have received from him — a grati- 
tude which I am sure we must all feel towards one who came amongst us in the 
spirit of peace and good will, in a time when the demon of war shakes his red 
right hand and marks his tracks with pillars of fire. He came not to destroy life, 
but to save it. We should bear in mind that we are not for time, but for eternity, 
and in the future life we shall recognize the truth that cause and consequence are 
eternally linked together. Whilst they who make war, will, in that future life, 
meet with those they have sent to their account imperfectly developed — whilst 
they who have caused, not alone these murders, but have caused the cries and 
curses to ascend from the length and breath of the Continent, will meet those 
with their hearts full of murder and hatred, with the weapons of destruction in 



FAREWELL TO ENGLAND. 263 

their hands. Men like Dr. Newton will meet with those whose grateful memories 
will recognize him as their friend and benefactor, and I am sure I express but 
feebly the sentiments of those who know him. When he goes he will carry with 
him the best feelings of his many friends ; and if he returns we shall meet him 
with the same cordiality and welcome. But whether we meet him again on earth 
or not, we have the satisfaction of knowing that we shall meet him in the brighter 
land, where there are no sorrows of parting, no sighing or grief. Wherever our 
friend may be, we feel sure that he will ever exhibit that earnestness of purpose 
which he has hitherto shown. These are noble qualities of the soul, and con- 
stitute the highest life ; for it is surely the very life of God, which is that of un- 
selfish good and beneficence. I know I express the feelings of all here, and those 
unable to be present, when I wish that wherever he may be, in whatever circum- 
stances he may be placed, our beloved friend maybe the joyous recipient of every 
temporal and spiritual blessing. 

Mr. John Jones, of Enmore Park, in a kindly and cordial manner, seconded 
the resolution, and followed with some interesting remarks. 

Dr. Newton rose to reply, and it was some time before he could proceed, on 
account of the storm of applause with which he was received. He spoke at great 
length with much power and clearness. He said, my heart overflows with love 
to you all ; even as the heart of a father to his children. I feel deep gratitude 
for the uniform kindness and courtesy shown me in this co intry, by the friends 
of human progress and reform, and for their hearty co-operation with me in carry- 
ing on the work which I came to accomplish, and for numberless acts of kindness 
dictated by personal friendship and esteem. I feel gratified with the success that 
has attended my labors here. I believe it has been even greater than could have 
been expected. I earnestly hope that much good seed has been sown otherwise, 
that will spring up and bear fruit. 

The opposition of enemies, will, in its effects, only tend toward the advance- 
ment of the glorious truths that I have tried to teach by word and illustrate by 
example, inasmuch as it will draw the public mind to them and stimulate inquiry 
and investigation. I was told by my spirit-friends, before I left America, of this 
opposition ; hence I was not entirely unprepared for it. If I had said nothing 
about my religious views, I might in a measure have escaped it. But I try to be 
a consistent Christian, and I am not ashamed to declare my religion to the world. 
I want it understood that I believf in the ministry of angels and spirits ; and that 
I heal through the power of God. For this I may be censured, but no man can 
lift his arm without the power of God, and God works through the mediumship 
of angels and spirits. 

There never was a great work on the earth that had not spirit power as the 
source of it. Poets, philosophers, statesmen, are mediums ; and Jesus was the 
greatest medium of all, and hence was called the Mediator — the medium between 
God and man. 

If we are unfolded in the principle of love and truth, we all can become me- 
diums in one form or another. This principle we can receive by becoming like 
little children. 

Jesus was the embodiment of love, and we should all strive to become like 



264 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

him. He is our Saviour as far as we follow his teachings. All men can be 
saviours by uplifting the fallen, reclaiming the erring, and instilling the Christ- 
principle in the human heart. 

He deprecated making an idol of the Bible, and worshipping the letter, which 
killeth. 

" Worship in spirit and in truth, which giveth life and light." In countries 
where even the name of Christ has never been heard, men have communicated 
with the spirit-world, and carried out the principles of love, justice, and truth in 
their lives, and are as good Christians as those who worship in the sanctuary. 
The churches will have to take in this spiritual religion or fall, for in this age of 
intelligence, men will not be terrified by an angry God and burning hell. Let us 
press on with these truths till the whole world is converted to them. 

And now I shall soon depart from you, but I leave you my benediction, my 
blessing, and my love. And I pray that the Spirit of the Father may be with you 
to bless and guide you, and not only you, but all the people of this city, and all 
the people of this country, and of the whole world, and also those who have 
passed away to spirit-life. 

Mr. J. Burns, of the Progressive Library, said : I have claimed the privi- 
lege of saying a few words on this occasion. * * * Dr. Newton is 
generally recognized as a Healer ; but I look upon him as a teacher also. What 
has he taught us ? He has pointed out the true Science of Man — that man is a 
spiritual being, operating through a physical organism, and that the spiritual 
man is a primary subject of all education and care. He has illustrated the great 
truth of medical science — that all physic should be applied to the spiritual prin- 
ciple within the organism, and not to the external machine, as is the case with 
popular medical science, falsely so called. Dr. Newton, by his practice, has shown 
the truthfulness of the spiritual theory of medicine, and the murderous fatality 
of that barbarous practice which poisoned, maimed and tortured those unfortunate 
persons who happened to be sick. 

Our good friend has also taught us divine truth. The popular notion was 
that God was afar off, and had to be propitiated and approached by much wor- 
ship, lip-service and penitential humility. Dr. Newton has given the whole sys- 
tem of divinity in one sentence, and made it clear that the man who loved truth 
and his fellow-men, so as to apply that truth for the welfare of others, at once 
worked with God, and God in and through him. The Doctor taught that God 
was the Father of all — nearer and dearer than any relation in life, and that we 
may at all times do His will and His work in proportion to our capacity. Dr. 
Newton was also an exponent of theological truth ; by his experience he proved 
that to take the good and great who had gone before us to our bosoms like 
brothers was far better than to set them up and worship them as gods. 

A leading subject taught by the Doctor was social truth, by which all man- 
kind might form one glorious happy family, if they only loved one another. This 
love could be passed from one to another like any other substance, and even 
transported to great distances ; and this showed the great wealth of human 
nature, and the benefits which they might bestow on each other by healing their 
diseases and harmonizing their natures. 



FAREWELL TO ENGLAND. 265 

Spiritual truth was also taught by Dr. Newton. We could benefit or injure 
spirits as well as mortals, and the spirit-world with this earth-life formed one 
great unity, from which we could be dissociated. We could co-operate with 
spirits, and spirits with us, according to oui ability to reciprocate influences with 
them. 

But the crowning feature of Dr. Newton's teachings was his fearless open- 
ness and thorough candor. He might have come and practiced amongst us, and 
worn the mask of hypocrisy with which men usually conceal their real thoughts 
and opinions from their fellows — like too many amongst us, he might have thus 
lived a lie, and yet been more highly respected by the worldly than he is now for 
his honesty. When he went to the Unitarian people to heal, he might have 
been a Unitarian, and when he went to the Calvinist, he might have been a 
Calvinist, and thus have ministered to the errors and egotism of the many. But 
Dr. Newton, like an honest man, scorned such a paltry course. lie openly 
avowed the truth as it appeared to him, at the expense of cherished friendships 
and public approbation. It was hard of him, no doubt, to come to London, 
demolish the respectable idols venerated by the spiritually blind, and point out 
the everlasting divine principles of the spiritual God which underlie all things. 
In doing so Dr. Newton had achieved his greatest work. 

This age does not want Spiritualists — believers in this or that — but men, 
honest men, who will dare to appear what they are, and scorn to wear a mask 
of hypocrisy and conventional deceit. The world is sadly in want of martyrs. 
We have many bold champions of truth amongst us, if it is respectable and will 
pay. Dr. Newton followed no such tactics ; he dared to outrage the inane re- 
spectability of the period, and at an expense of several hundred pounds to him- 
self. Spiritualism is not only the greatest fact in human existence, but the lead- 
ing idea of the time. I have travelled much with Dr. Newton this summer, and 
addressed thousands of people, and I am practically certain that Spiritualism is 
spreading at a very rapid rate, and never so surely and steadily as now. 

Dr. Newton has said that his influence can go out and benefit every one in this 
country, more or less. This is no myth or idle superstition, but in accordance 
with the known laws of mind and biological influence. I have tested this fact 
for myself. When I first went to the provinces with Dr. Newton, we necessarily 
received calls from such places as were most advanced in Spiritualism, and more 
recently from places where Spiritualism was comparatively unknown ; yet the 
opposition has sensibly diminished, and there is an influence at work which 
more and more moulds the minds of the people, and, as it were, " Newtonizes " 
them. The speaker concluded by thanking the audience for their kind attention 
to his remarks, after so many able speakers had preceded him. 

The proceedings were enlivened by the singing of Mrs. Hicks, who in a very 
tasteful manner sang a number of favorite songs between the speeches, accom- 
panied on the piano by her husband, Mr. James Hicks, the celebrated accom- 
panyist. 

After much pleasant intercourse, Dr. Newton bade an affectionate adieu to his 
friends. Our prayer is that his mission may be abundantly successful, and that 
we may before long see his face in London again. 



266 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

The journal from which we have quoted so extensively closes 
its record of Dr. Newton's doings with the following remarks : — 

By the time this article is read by the public, Dr. Newton will have nearly 
traversed the great breadth of ocean which separates his country from ours. We 
do not know any one connected with Spiritualism who has left our shores bearing 
more kindly regrets from the many friends remaining behind than has Dr. New- 
ton. His unbounded disinterestedness and the great value of his work are more 
apparent now that he has gone ; and, as the facts given by Miss Wathen show, 
his works follow him. For many weeks the Medium has been a steady record 
of Dr. Newton's doings and healings, presenting an array of facts establishing 
the existence of the healing power such as, in this country at least, has never be- 
fore been witnessed. Such a long narration of similar cases may have excited 
the impatience of some, but to the real well-wisher of man and the true Spiritual 
philosopher these cures are of the deepest significance. Placing them all side 
by side, we have instances of this wonderful healing power being exercised suc- 
cessfully in a great variety of diseases, on patients of different ages, under diver- 
sified circumstances, and thus proving by actual experiment the real effects and 
scope of this healing agency. The advanced science of the future will yet thank 
the humble gatherers of apparently insignificant pebbles on the shore of Truth, 
and polish them and set them in their true relation to each other and to the great 
laws which rule human life. 

It was Dr. Newton's intention to have visited Southern Europe and Syria 
this winter, but the serious state of affairs on the Continent precluded that idea 
from being carried out. Then it was eagerly desired by the inhabitants of some 
of the principal cities in this country that he should visit them for a season. 
This desire Dr. Newton met in a great degree by his Sunday excursions ; but 
having remained in this country as long as he at first determined, he was guided 
by the influences which projected his visit and all its arrangements to retire for a 
season, just as he was beginning to be known and his merits appreciated. 
* * * * * # * 

We cannot lay down our pen without referring to the kind and generous way 
in which Dr. Newton conducted himself amongst us. He literally healed " with- 
out money and without price," as no compulsory fee was imposed on any one 
who chose to call on him. Dr. Newton's expressed regret was that his want of 
income compelled him to desist from the habitual acts of benevolence which were 
a constant feature of his life in the United States. Dr. Newton has bestowed 
thousands of pounds in acts of charity and philanthrophy ; and to be for 
a time denied such a pleasure is a great hardship to those who are capable of 
feeling the wants of the poor and needy. But Dr. Newton was liberal and open- 
handed to all. His practice was to pay whatever was demanded of him, to make 
all the better for coming in contact with him, and often to bestow gratuities in 
food and money upon his poorer patients. He never realized one farthing out 
of his public healings, nor did he endeavor to mend his fortune by accepting par- 
tial fees from the moderately circumstanced, or by taking the pittances of the 



FAREWELL TO ENGLAND 267 

poor. His visit to this country cost him several hundred pounas, ior which he 
expressed his gratitude by saying, "Thank God, I can do so." No one ever 
heard a hard word, a retaliative expression from his lips. He forgave all, 
knowing that they " did as well as they knew how." What a sublime philoso- 
phy, and what a deep faith in the God within humanity ! 

We saw much of Dr. Newton in all situations, and viewing him in every as- 
pect, we unhesitatingly declare that the world has seen but few men possessed 
of such rare and lovable qualities. His unsophisticated openness, childlike 
trust, quenchless hope, cheerful spirit, deep affection and devotion to human 
welfare, exhaustless energy and activity ; his manliness and self-respect, profound 
love of truth and religious feeling, clairvoyance and consciousness of spirit-pres- 
ence, with his wonderful and beneficent power of healing — make up a charac- 
ter which would do credit to the whole procession of gods and chieftains which 
have appropriated the devotion of mankind for thousands of years. In our age 
and country we see the religious millions worshipping a man of the past as very 
God, when the assumed qualities which distinguished that man's divinity are be- 
fore their very eyes at the present day, and yet they perceive it not. And so it 
was with the spiritual philanthrophist of 1800 years ago. His countrymen were 
blind to good, and so could see no good in him, but shouted " Crucify him, cru- 
cify him ! " 

The great want of mankind is to be able to discern the Father-God in their 
brothers and sisters of the day in which we live. We press this thought upon 
the attention of our readers as the great essential of practical theology which 
would operate to make men respect themselves, love their neighbor, and put an 
end to all injustice, war, and individual degradation. We do not require that 
men be made gods, but that God may be revealed to our consciousness and be 
recognized in men. To bring about this desirable result, mankind must not rob 
the whole race of goodness and virtue at the dictum of a barbarous theology, 
and heap it upon an ideal personage whose assigned position places him above 
such compliments. How can men expect to appreciate the spiritual heroes of 
the past when they are blind to the same qualities as expressed to-day in the lives 
and acts of their neighbors ? Is it not of great importance that the religious sen- 
timents of society should be periodically subjected to rigid examination and ne- 
cessary revision ! Such sentiments are an act of the human mind, which is not 
infallible, and hence capable of unlimited improvement. The advocates of 
stereotyped ideas are the most implacable enemies of religion, for they prevent 
it from keeping pace with the other departments of mental action, and thus de- 
stroy its power by bringing it into ridiculous contrast with other subjects which 
are permitted to progress with human experience. 

In regard to his visit to and experience in England, Dr. Newton 
furnishes the following interesting observations : — 

" I was received with much cordiality, and during my entire stay was treated 
with the most marked respect and kindness by my friends and all those interested 
in reform and in the amelioration of human ills. James Burns, Esq., editor of 



263 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

the Medium and Daybreak, aided me much, both by his able pen and his public 
lectures. W. H. Harrison, Editor of the Spiritualist, published from week to 
week, lengthy accounts of my progress and work. To Rev. Dr. Jabez Burns, 
and Rev. F. R. Young, to Benj. Coleman, William White, X. F. Daw, Dr. 
William Evans, William Tebb, Thomas B. Shorter, James Wason, Esq., of 
Liverpool, and many others, I am largely indebted for much kindness and earnest 
efforts to promote my labors. 

•'Dr. Jabez Burns, although belonging to a class of religious teachers 
strongly sectarian in point of belief, had nevertheless cultivated a freedom of 
thought and broad liberality that harmonizes differences of creed, and embraces 
all God's creatures in one common bond of brotherhood. It enabled him to say 
to his brother worker, of whatever sect or creed : ' I greet you, my brother, and 
welcome you to the ranks of workers for humanity, and I give you my strong 
right hand of support' 

" His fearlessness in upholding the truth against a strong tide of opposition, 
was truly praiseworthy. He not only opened his chapel for my occupancy, but 
remained steadfast as my friend and support, when family after family to the 
number of eighteen withdrew from his church because their holy temple was 
desecrated by my sacrilegious practice of healing the sick by the laying on of 
hands, as some were pleased to term it. His course was prompted not only by 
only by his humanitarian and benevolent views and feelings, but by a sincere 
belief in the healing power and a desire that it might become more widely known 
and appreciated. With the spirit of the true Christian hero he stood in its de- 
fence against the attacks of its enemies. He has since passed to the higher life, 
but the influence of his noble spirit, and high Christian character remains in the 
hearts of all who knew and loved him. 

" Rev. F. R. Young manifested equal independence of spirit and action. To 
him I am greatly indebted for the cordial reception I received at Swindon. His 
own wonderful cure, the facts of which all his people were familiar with, and his 
success thereafter in treating disease, had brought the healing question before 
his parish and the public ; and though at first he had encountered opposition, he 
had met his adversaries nobly, and so far triumphed that the majority looked 
favorably upon the mode of cure he had introduced among them. The follow- 
ing is an extract from a lengthy article written by Mr. Young and published in 
the North Wilts Herald, of Swindon, in 1S6S. It shows him undaunted by op- 
position, i nd smayed by abuse, and strong in an unquenchable faith. He writes : 

" * I ha\ e been assailed, in the vilest and most outrageous manner, by certain 
parties in this neighborhood, who have imputed to me motives so base and ex- 
tremely abominable, that, had they not been expressed in set terms and on paper, 
I could not have supposed could have occurred to any sane mind. I am just now 
thinking of two or three newspaper letters in particular which have appeared in 
the columns of the Szi-indon Advertiser. * * * But none of these 
will ever move me to discontinue this work, as long as God is pleased to enable 
me to do it. " The disciple is not above his Master, nor the servant above his 
Lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his Master, and the servant as 
his Lord. If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub, how much 



FAREWELL TO ENGLAND. 269 

more shall they call them of his household? Fear them not therefore" (10 
Matt. 25 and 26 v.). I fear God, but I do not fear any one else; and as long as 
I am conscious of being in the path of duty marked out for me by Him, it will 
not lie in the power of any man on earth to make me afraid. I am not a medical 
man, nor do I make any pretensions to the possession of enlarged medical or surgi- 
cal knowedge. Nor am I a quack, in the ordinary acceptation of that term. Indeed, 
my whole public life has been one consistent protest against quackery of every 
kind and degree. But I should be a traitor to the Sovereign of my life, and be- 
tray my duty to my fellow-creatures, if I were to give way to the opposition 
which I have so innocently invoked, and which is trying to silence my tongue and 
stop the exercise of my hands. I will not be silenced, nor will I be stopped, 
unless God Himself interfere to silence or stop me. 

" This spirit of bigotry I found existing to a greater extent in England than 
in America, a natural result, no doubt, of the lack of universal education. The 
false reports and gross misrepresentations of one or two public journals, also 
operated against me in my work. 

" Then the English mind moves slowly. It is naturally critical, skeptical, in- 
clined to weigh everything carefully, study it profoundly, understand the work- 
ings of cause and effect, before it will receive or approve any new theory or 
practice. The Britisher holds me at arm's length, views me with a critical eye, 
and says : 'I see the lame made to walk, and the blind to see. I do not dis- 
believe my senses. Is it the juggler's feat, or Satan's work ? Will it last ? Ex- 
plain how it is done, and I will believe.' 

"My countryman says, after I touch the contracted or painful limb: 'I feel 
better,' while the Englishman, though he walks off with his crutches on his 
shoulders, says : ' Thank God, I'm no worse.' 

" All these things tend to discourage a healer and actually lessen his power 
for the time. In place of a cavilling, skeptical spirit, let there be faith and hope, 
and unquestioning confidence, — a bond of love and sympathy between healer and 
people, — and in nearly every case the effect is marvellous. When all are ready 
to receive the gift, it comes with power. 

" Yet I feel satisfied with the success of my labors in England. My mission 
was not only to heal the sick, but to show the people that others possessed the 
power which should be developed and put to use for the benefit of the sick and 
suffering. This latter purpose I accomplished as well as the former, and I am 
happy to believe that I not only carried the balm of healing to many, but raised 
up healers to carry on the work, and also roused up the English mind on sub- 
jects of practical importance and interest, and started a spirit of inquiry that must 
result in good." 



2/0 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

and Daybreak, after the lapse of five years, (July 16, 1875), is here 
appended : — 

" HEAL THE SICK." 

Five years have passed away since Dr. Newton was in London. He came 
as an apostle to revive an old faith, and to give the true meaning to the words of 
Jesus, who knew the possibilities of man, and throughout his life exemplified 
them. Not the least of his commands was " Heal the sick." For ages the pro- 
found meaning of those words seems to have died out, for they have come to be 
interpreted, " Physic the sick," thus reducing the question to one of pills, mix- 
tures, lotions, salves, depletions, and all the well-known resources of medical 
science. Without wishing to depreciate the results achieved by modern medi- 
cine, it mav be fairly questioned whether these were the means prospectively 
presented to that grand intuitional mind. And certainly, the absence of what are 
known as medical paraphernalia is conspicuous in the life of Him " who went 
about doing good." The only thing in his pharmacopoeia that we remember is 
that of moistened " clay," which singularly enough has quite recently been found 
to be a most effective remedy in certain affections. The words, " Heal the sick," 
ring with a spiritual sound, indicating a spiritual power, which, rightly exercised, 
would be omnipotent to allay the ills of life. Faith in such power, however, 
seems to have died out as civilization has advanced. The onslaught of modern 
materialism has quenched it. There is far less of this faith now than during 
even the middle ages in their so-called darkness. It is curious to observe the 
greater importance attached to mental and moral conditions in the prescriptions 
of olden times. Laughed to scorn as these are by the materialistic physician of 
to-day, there is nevertheless a great truth underlying those old formulas. Truth 
never can wholly depart. It may for a time, a generation, nxy, an age, be over- 
laid by error, but it must and will reassert itself. Therefore, down along the 
centuries the truth that lies concealed in the words we have quoted has been pre- 
served. What is it? Simply that, associated with the spiritual organization of 
man, there is a supermundane power to curb, to check, to rectify those physical 
evils which ever and anon in a world like this befall us. In short, it may be said 
/ that as most, if not all, the ills of life have a spiritual origin, there is provided the 
spiritual cure. In sickness the auras of existence are deranged, and these auras 
must be set right — not by poisonous drugs, but pre-eminently by bringing into 
equilibriated action the vital currents that flow within and around us. We take 
it this was the kind of healing proposed and commanded by the Great Teacher. 

But the power to doit! It went, says the Church, like everything that was 
good and useful for humanity, with the closing of the apostolic age. A poor com- 
pliment to pay the Almighty Father of the then unborn hundreds of millions of 
the human race ! Say we, the power, like the command, is eternal in the nature 
of things. And there never has been a generation of men pass away since those 
words were uttered that has not borne evidence of it in some form or other. 

It was Dr. Newton's mission to restore the lost faith by marvellous mani- 
festations of that power. The " heavens being opened," and the spirituality of 



FAREWELL TO ENGLAND. 2J\ 

human existence being palpably demonstrated, the healing power has become rec- 
ognized as one of the most potent features of the new era. And no one will 
question its vast importance. The healing prophet having arisen, healing dis- 
ciples, brought to a consciousness of their powers, have cropped up all around. 
Many have been the pangs assuaged, many the comforts brought to the sick- 
bed, many the diseases that have taken to themselves wings, and many have been 
the calm hours brought to the dying by the simple laying-on of hands, which has 
found no boastful record in the pages of medical journals, but has been a quiet 
work in the homes of the people. 

A question may be submitted for reflection whether some kind of organization 
may not be available for developing these mediumistic powers, and for extending 
their kindly benefits to the community. We think it may. Without any in- 
vidious predilection as regards the now large class of healers, we may perhaps 
take the work which has been done by Mr. Ashman, in connection with his Psy- 
chopathic Institution, as an example of the possible outcome of co-operative 
effort in that direction. Upon Mr. Ashman the mantle of Dr. Newton seems to 
have fallen, and the work he has alone done has been by no means insignificant. 
During the five years, we are informed, he has personally attended about ten 
thousand times upon the sick in the exercise of this healing power. Of the 
beneficial results in a great variety of diseases abundant testimony is forthcoming* 
With faith in his work, faith in his own powers, and inspired with the love of his 
fellows, he has earned for this higher method of medical treatment a high reputa- 
tion. So many have flocked to him to be cured that he has been compelled to 
employ the services of others to help him, and this at no little expense. * * * 

R. Linton. 



2*] 2 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

AGAIN IN AMERICA. 

Dr Newton re-opens his Office in Boston — Remarkable Cure of Blindness. — Cure of Con- 
gestion of the Lungs. — Letter of Gratitude. — List of notable Cures. — Remarkable 
Cure of Lameness and Spinal Injury. — " Who did this ? " — Conversation with an aged 
Clergyman. — Another List of Cures. — Restoration of a supposed Dying Man. — In- 
stant Cure of Lumbar Abscess. — Testimony of Hon. S. J. Finney. — Visit to Califor- 
nia. — Healing in San Francisco. — Testimony of the Evejiitig Post. — List of noted 
Cures. — Work in Sacramento. — Healing by Magnetized Letters. — Another List of re- 
markable Cures. — Return to the East. — Locates at Yonkers-on-the-Hudson. — More 
Marvellous Cases. 

Soon after his return from Europe, that is, in October, 1870, 
Dr. Newton re-opened the office formerly occupied by him in 
Boston, at No. 35 Harrison Avenue. He had been absent about 
six months, and was most cordially welcomed by his friends, while 
his return was hailed with joy and hope by numerous sufferers 
who were looking to him for relief. He remained in Boston 
nearly two years, leaving the city only on brief excursions to some 
neighboring city or State, usually by invitation, for the purpose of 
healing. The subjoined testimonies will give some idea of the suc- 
cess which continued to attend his labors during this period : — 

From the Ba?iner of Light, June, 187 1 : — 

« 

REMARKABLE CURE BY DR. J. R. NEWTON. 

One of the most rapid and wonderful exhibitions of the curative force cen- 
tered in Dr. Newton, the well-known healer, took place at his rooms, No. 35 
Harrison avenue, Boston, on the morning of Thursday, May 25th. We publish 
the facts of the case as received by us from the lady upon whom the operation was 
performed, that others suffering from a like hopeless affliction may know that 
there is yet "balm in Gilead," and that another example of good works from 
"demons " {vide Elder Knapp) may be put on record. 



AGAIN IN AMERICA. 273 

On Tuesday evening, April 25th, at about half-past eight o'clock, as Mrs. 
Mary Ward Wellman, of Stoughton, Mass., was passing from the millinery store 
of Mrs. Ames to the post office of said town, she was assaulted by several per- 
sons in female attire, who accosted her with " Good evening " ; and when she, 
thinking she knew them, replied, they separated, and coming up on both 
sides of her, exclaimed, " Ah, Mrs. Ames ! you had a fine opening — we will see 
about the closing ! " They then seized upon the cloud which she wore, and 
thus momentarily confining her head, they threw into her face, especially upon 
her eyes, an unknown acidiferous compound — by some supposed to be vitriol — 
which had the effect of instantly paralyzing her eyelids and apparently destroy- 
ing her sight forever. She tried to tell them they were mistaken — that she was 
not the one they sought; but they were too quick for her. They then escaped. 

For a month she suffered the tortures of mind and body incident to a loss of 
eye-sight in this busy world. She never expected to see again, and was utterly 
at a loss to whom to attribute the dastardly outrage. She was comparatively a 
stranger in Stoughton, could not imagine any enemy she had who would have 
performed the act, and therefore concluded that she was really mistaken for 
some other person. She continued blind and unable to open her eyes till the 
morning of May 25th, when she visited Dr. Newton at his rooms hoping for aid. 
She was encouraged to apply, from the fact that, a few days previously, a lady 
friend of hers had called on the Doctor, and had received from him a bandage 
to be applied to her (Mrs. Wellman's) eyes. On giving it the Doctor said the 
patient would be able on wearing it to see for a brief time, and that, as it were, 
scales would fall from her eyes, but that a cure could not be effected without 
personal treatment. The bandage was made use of, and resulted as the Doctor 
had said. The lady friend did not, however, tell the patient what had been said 
about the " scales" coming from her eyes. Mrs. Wellman was able to have a 
glimmering vision of a chair which stood near her, and then said, " Why! I am 
rubbing something out of my eyes." She seemed very much astonished at this 
unexpected phenomenon, which her friend (then present) remembered that Dr. 
N. had predicted. 

Encouraged by this, Mrs. Wellman decided on trying a personal treatment . 
visited Boston in company with the same lady friend, and at an early hour on 
the morning of May 25th found herself in the reception room of Dr. Newton. 
A lady patient who had come some four hundred miles to be treated by him for 
partial blindness and other troubles, and who had had an examination on the 
previous day, (and who was cured by the second treatment, May 25th,) was the 
first, according to the list (the regular plan being to admit patients to his office 
by numbers given by his clerk); but the Doctor was suddenly seized with an un- 
controllable power, which led him immediately to seek the presence of Mrs. Well- 
man. He rushed into the room without coat or morning wrapper on, and com- 
menced lightly lifting the shades she wore over her eyes. She supposed it might 
be a child's hand, as she had heard that all manner of patients visited the Doctor, 
and was so totally blind as to be obliged to judge only by the sense of touch ; but, 
on stretching out her hand, she felt the arm of a man, and said, in her great hope, 
" Is this Dr. Newton ? " The Doctor made no reply, but with a sudden and 

18 



274 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

violent motion disarranged and scattered her hair, throwing her chignon upon the 
floor, and then proceeded to make rapid passes over her forehead and eyes, at the 
end of which he commanded, " Receive my spirit, and open your eyes ! By the 
spirit of the living God, open your eyes ! " He led her to the centre of the re- 
ception room, where there were some twelve persons present (who will testify to 
the truth of the matter); and as the patient slowly and questioningly opened her ' 
hitherto paralyzed lids to the light, he told her to read from a book he presented ; 
and she who for four weeks had not clearly seen any earthly object, read to him 
" The Landing of the Pilgrims." The Doctor then told her to look out of the 
window and expose her eyes to the strong light of the sun,' which she did. He 
took from her the shades she had worn, telling her she must walk in the street 
without them now ; that she was perfectly well, and would not be troubled by the 
shutting of her eyes again till they closed on the scenes of mortal existence. 

This cure, the Doctor says, was even to him performed in a most unusual 
manner, and outside the regular form through which, by reason of the great 
number who visit him, he is obliged to operate. The lady was a perfect stranger 
to him. 

We wish the whole skeptical world could have sat with us on that bright 
spring morning, and heard, as we did, the good Methodist sister, as, with all the 
enthusiasm of a blasted life restored and re-dedicated to use, she poured forth 
her thanksgiving for her cure, and blessed Dr. Newton as the instrument of God ; 
saying, even, that the miracles of Christ were not more wonderful to her than the 
cure which the Doctor had wrought on her : " Whereas I was blind, now I see ! " 
John Randolph, of Roanoke, is represented, after gazing at a beautiful sunrise at 
the Peaks of Otter, in Bedford County, Va., (five thousand three hundred and 
seven feet above the level of the sea), as turning to the servant who accompanied 
him, and saying, " Never from this moment believe him who tells you there is no 
God ! " But to the mind of the lover of the human race, grander than Nature's 
sunrise or sunset glory are demonstrations like these of the existence of the In- 
finite Soul, where the wasted fires of life are re-kindled, where the lame " leap as 
an hart," where the " deaf ear is unstopped," and " them that are bound " in the 
fetters of disease and pain and darkness revel in the light and freedom bestowed 
by the angels and their instruments — the glorious children of one common Father.* 

From the same paper : — 

CURE OF CONGESTION OF THE LUNGS. 

On the first day of January, 187 1, Miss Lizzie Cristy (niece of Deacon Moses 
Cristy, of Greenwich, Conn.), was cured of congestion of the lungs, together with 

*Mrs. Fanny J. Ames, of Stoughton, Mass., under date of Jan. 2, 1876, writes to the editor in 
relation to this case, as follows : — 

" What you saw in the Banner (concerning Mrs. Wellman) was correct. She was an inmate 
of my family at the time of the occurrence. I went to Dr. Newton with her. He opened her 
eyes. I think her eyelids were paralyzed, and that she could see before he operated on them, by 
holding open her eyes, not otherwise." * * * F. J. AMES. 



AGAIN IN AMERICA. 2?$ 

an incessant cough. On that day, Dr. Newton treated her without the least ap- 
parent hope, and even told Mrs Cristy that the patient was dying. The death- 
rattle came in her throat, and she lay to all appearance dead for some twenty 
minutes, when Dr. N. spoke aloud: " Use your will-power; open your eyes !" — 
when the eyes rolled, and she whispered, " This is not death." " Speak aloud," 
said Dr. N. ; and she did speak aloud — the first time in three weeks — saying, " I 
have been in the spirit-world, and a spirit whom I saw told me that this is not 
death, and that I had to return to earth to finish my mission of life here." She at 
once partook of food. Her cough had all gone, and she was cured.* 

From the same : — 

DR. J. R. NEWTON, THE HEALER. 

This gentleman, who is world-renowned as a wonderful instrument for the re- 
moval of disease by the " laying on of hands," still continues to relieve the suf- 
fering, at his office, No. 35 Harrison avenue, Boston. The voluminous notices 
which from time to time have appeared in this paper concerning him would seem 
to render any lengthy re-statement of our views unnecessary at the present time ; 
but we cannot refrain from once more bearing witness to his remarkable powers, 
having been the recipient, ourselves, of his curative offices, as well as others of the 
afflicted. The Doctor's magnetic forces, instead of waning with his increasing 
years, seem to grow stronger by influx from the world unseen ; and he is more 
successful, if possible, than ever heretofore, in the treatment and cure of multi- 
tudinous cases, many of them given over by the regular practitioners. To the 
rich his terms are reasonable ; the poor, he makes whole " without price." Read 
the letter below regarding one of his N \v York patients. It speaks volumes 
from two grateful hearts : 

Dr. J. R. Newton — Dear Sir : It is with gratitude that we ever think of you, and a pleas- 
ure to remember the day that we first saw you — now more than two years ago ; since which time 
we feel and know that we owe more to you for our health and happiness than to any other living 
person — a blessing too great to prize justly. This prompts me to write you a few lines, that you 
may not think us among the number who receive a blessing, and straightway forget the giver. 
You doubtless remember my bringing Mrs. Weber to you to be cured. I brought her in my 
arms into your office, and in ten minutes she walked out with me. I cannot tell you how it thrills 
me now to think of that hour's joy — it seemed so like raising the dead. For nearly three years 
previous she had been unable to walk a step. 

Since we saw you, Mrs. W. has enjoyed the best of health. It is only a little part of the grati- 
tude we feel, that I can express in this letter to you, our dearest earthly friend. Please accept it 
from your most grateful children, 

Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Weber. 
Springville, Erie Co., N. Y., Oct. 25, 1871. 

In connection with this letter we give a list of several cures (some of them 
seemingly "miraculous" in the theological sense), which Dr. Newton has re- 
cently performed. 

Willie Marshall Pike, 409 Charles street, Boston, Mass., was cured of 
total blindness, Friday, Oct. 20th, by twenty minutes' treatment. At the expira- 
tion of that time he could see well, and went to work next day. 

* See note of Deacon Cristy in Chapter IX., page 126. 



2Jb THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

Mrs. Benj. Burton, Union, Me., afflicted with leprosy in her hands, her fin- 
gers appearing entirely dead, with the nails black, visited Dr. Newton and was 
cured with one treatment. The nails came off in a few days, and the hands be- 
came as perfect and natural as ever. 

Capt. H. P. Turner, 287 Hanover street, Boston, severely injured in spine 
and hips by a heavy piece of timber, was cured perfectly with three treatments. 

Simon Marston, Portsmouth, N. H., was cured of jaundice and gall stones. 

Mrs. Nancy Snow, No.- ii Way street, Boston, a case of chronic rheumat- 
ism, was permanently cured. 

Asa T. "Walker, Porstmouth, N. H., who has suffered from asthma for 
twenty years, was perfectly cured with one treatment. 

Alfred McKenzie, Peabody, Mass., who was troubled with gravel and 
kidney complaints for thirty-five years, was cured with one treatment. Has no 
objection to being referred to. 

Alden Burrill, Lynn, Mass., was cured with one treatment of tumor in 
bowels, and lame knee. 

Mrs. M. G. Guild, 42 Austin street, Charlestown, was recently cured of a 
very large ovarian tumor. 

Helen L. Bucklin, 134 6th street, South Boston, was perfectly cured, in a 
brief time, of hip disease. 

Mrs. John Ransom, Plymouth, Mass., who, by reason of spinal and female 
weaknesses, for three years had been unable to walk, was cured with one treat- 
ment, so that she could walk well. 

Mr. Lambert's child, Gardiner, Me., had lost her powers of speech; but was 
cured by the Doctor, instantly, so as to talk as freely as any one. 

Mrs. Lynd S. Waterman, 5 Tremont Place, Boston, was on application 
cured of a cancer. 

Mrs. William Wallace, Water street, Pittston, Me., was cured of consump- 
tion, after being given over by many old school physicians. 

Miss Ella Teel, Lynn, Mass., was permanently cured of dropsy and con. 
stipation. 

David E. Martin, Rochester, who suffered with weak lungs and consump- 
tion for many years, was perfectly cured in a brief time. 

Mrs. S. J. Jewett, Westminster, Mass., who had been troubled with a lame 
knee for six years, was cured of her difficulty; also of dyspepsia and jaundice. 

Alanson Bartlett, Croyden, N. H., who had been very lame for seven 
months, and unable to walk, was cured with one treatment. 

Mrs. Towns, Amherst, N. H., was cured of epilepsy eight months ago, and 
has not exhibited any symptoms of the disease since. 

S. B. Hollis, 365 Silver street, South Boston, Mass., who had been afflicted 
with scrofula in one of his limbs for four years, was perfectly cured. 

George Rood, Woodstock, Vt., was cured of epilepsy. 

Moses Yeaton, Portsmouth, N. H., who was so much troubled by a disease 
of the kidneys and bladder for fifteen years that all the doctors consulted said he 
could never recover, but must die, was perfectly cured with one treatment of 
twenty minutes. 



AGAIN IN AMERICA. 2'J'/ 

Here are the facts, which speak incontrovertibly for themselves. We would 
advise alike all those who doubt, and those who desire to know more of the mat- 
ter, to visit Dr. Newton personally, and witness his operations for themselves. 

From the same : — 
REMARKABLE CURE OF LAMENESS AND SPINAL INJURY. 

Some six years ago, while attending school in Lowell, Mass., I fell down stairs, 
through the carelessness of a schoolmate, injuring myself considerably. Since 
then I have been troubled at times with my spine and left knee. 

About a year since, my general health failed me also. I began to suffer again 
with the pain in my spine, which grew worse and worse, until it was almost un- 
endurable. I received treatment from one of the best physicians in Boston 
Highlands (as I then resided in Boston), but was not benefited. He then advised 
me to go away from the salt water. I immediately went to Danville, New Hamp- 
shire, where I had the advice of other physicians. They all agreed in saying 
that the limb must be amputated. In the course of a few weeks my left knee be- 
came very painful, and swelled a great deal, but the pain in my back was some- 
what relieved. In a very short time after my leaving Boston I was unable to 
walk without the help of a crutch. For the last seven months I have suffered 
intensely, being obliged to recline a great part of the time. Hearing of Dr. J". 
R. Newton's most wonderful cures, and at the earnest solicitations of friends 
(among the number Mrs. E. J. Sherman, of Newburyport, Mass., who very kindly 
accompanied me) I visited the Doctor at his office on the 14th of Oct. The 
place where I was stopping was about a half mile from the office, and I was 
obliged to go there in a coach, as I had not walked that distance in the whole 
seven months. The coachman asked me what time he should come to take me 
back. I told him I did not know but I should walk. He made no reply, but 
looked at me in amazement, for he saw it was with difficulty that I walked with 
my crutch. The Doctor seemed much pleased at seeing me, and said, " I am 
going to cure you." The people there looked incredulous. He then took me 
into his private room and gave me a brief treatment of about five minutes (con- 
sisting merely of rubbing, for he uses no harsh means). Mrs. Tibbits of 
Newburyport, who was in the room and saw the wonderful cure, immediately left 
the room and informed those in waiting, who had heard the Doctor's remark, 
that the young lady was cured. They demanded to see me. I went out, ran 
through the long entry and up a flight of stairs before the wondering gaze of 
many people. He then called me into his private room and gave me another 
treatment (in the same manner as before) of about the same length. I went back 
to the reception room, and in a few moments saw one of my skeptical friends 
coming in. I walked across the room to meet him, saying. " What do you think 
of it ? " He was so much surprised to see me walking that for several seconds 
he made no reply. At last he said: "Well, well, I do not know what to think 
of it ! You do not walk much as you did yesterday ! " 

An old gentleman (who by the way was an Episcopal clergyman), who had 



2yS THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

not seen less than eighty winters, came tremblingly to the door, and in a broken 
voice said, " Who did this ? Who performed this cure ? " addressing the Doctor. 
" God did it." " Yes, I know he did, as he does everything that is good. But 
who was the instrument? " "I was the instrument," replied the Doctor. " But 
by what power do you claim to do these things ? " " By the same power that 
Christ did — by the power of God." " But do you not think that borders a little 
on blasphemy ? " said the old gentleman, who had advanced further and further 
into the room, until at last he sank into a chair. '•' No," said the Doctor, "for 
Christ said, ' The works that I do ye shall do also, and greater, because I go to 
the Father ; and these are the signs which do follow them that believe ; they 
shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.' Did you ever hear of a 
minister laying his hand on any of his sick parishioners and healing them ? I 
heal the sick in the same manner as Jesus did, and I am not afraid or ashamed 
to own it." " But Jesus was the son of God ? " " I claim to be the son of God. 
We are all sons of God. Didn't you ever think you were the son of God ? " re* 
plied the Doctor. " No," " Well it is time you did, with your head already 
covered with gray hairs." "Jesus and the apostles healed without coming in 
contact with the sick," said the old gentleman. " So do I sometimes." " Well, 
here, cure this limb," at the same time holding his limb out toward the Doctor, 
who was sitting at the opposite side of the room. " I can't." " You are honest. 
Why not?" " Because of your unbelief . Jesus and the apostles could not<ao 
many wonderful works in a certain city, because of the unbelief of the people." 

At this moment the business agent entered and announced a patient, which 
ended this interesting conversation. As the old gentleman arose to leave the 
room, the Doctor said, " I advise you to look into these things. If I was going 
to a foreign country, I should like to know something about it before I started, 
and I should begin to inquire." I thought the advice rather singular to one who 
had been teaching the way to this foreign country many years. The Doctor did 
not know, however, until the conversation ended, that the old gentleman was a 
minister. The Doctor told me to walk home, (and I did so,) saying also that he 
wished it was three miles instead of a half a mile. 

It is now several days since I was cured. I feel none of the old trouble 
whatever. I can walk as well as I ever could. Any one wishing for further in- 
formation can call on or write to Mrs. E. J. Sherman, 28 Charles street, Newbury- 
port, Mass., or Miss H. C. Sherburne, South Danville, N. H. That Doctor 
Newton may live many years to give health and comfort to the sick is my earnest 
wish and prayer. W r ould to God there were more like him. 

HELEN C. SHERBURNE. 

We witness to the truth of the above statements. 

Robert Sherman, 

William C. Balch. 

From the same, June 8, 1872 : — 

DR. J. R. NEWTON. 

Every one interested in the manifestation of spirit power through laying on of 
hands has heard of this celebrated worker, whose individual organization is 



AGAIN IN AMERICA. 279 

peculiarly adapted for the transmission of healing power, and whose labors in 
this country and Europe have brought many hearty words of thankfulness from 
the lips of his restored patients. 

We take pleasure in laying before our readers the following list of remarkable 
cures, recently performed by Dr. Newton, that it may still more firmly be im- 
pressed on the mind of the public that the "gift of healing" is a fixed fact — a 
blessing not for a day, but for all time to those who have the moral courage to 
receive its benefits : — 

Rev. W. A. Cheney, South Brookfield, Mass., partial paralysis, two years, 
numbness in head and arm ; unable to hold a pen to write properly ; cured about 
s'x weeks since ; called and reported himself perfectly cured. 

Wm. B. Tibbets, Esq., Amesbury, Mass., bad case of sciatica; perfectly 
cured. 

John Quincy Denton, Quincy, Mass., heart disease and defective sight; 
perfectly cured. 

Joseph W. Sloane, Dorchester, Mass., very bad case of rheumatism ; en- 
tirely cured. 

Mrs. Wm. Brown, Amesbury, Mass., cured of female weakness, and her child 
cured o\ chronic erysipelas. 

Mrs. Adelaide Holbrook, Braintree, Mass., bedridden two years with 
paralysis ; had two or three epileptic fits every day ; cured with one treatment of 
about twenty minutes. She is perfectly well, and has done all her family work 
ever since. 

J. P. Hammond, Worcester, Mass., child cured of scald head. 

Mrs. M. Lyon, 44 Coetes street, contracted hip, twenty years ; cured with one 
treatment. 

Josephine Coffee, Hopkinton, Mass., St. Vitus' dance ; cured. 

J. H. Maxon, Newbury, N. H. His son was cured of hip disease ; never 
used crutches after second day. 

C. F. Sawyer, Washington, D. C, lame knee many years ; cured perfectly 
with one treatment ; no further use for crutches or cane. 

George W. Percy, Springfield, Vt., sciatica, kidney disease, catarrh and 
asthma ; had not been able to work for five years ; perfectly cured, and worked 
every day since. 

Mrs. Charles R. Hammett, 151 Chelsea street, Charlestown, Mass., cured 
of jaundice and gall stones. 

William O. Davidson, 4 Stark street, Manchester, N. H., cured of heart 
disease ; had a tumor on his neck that he was about to have cut out ; cured that 
also. 

Mrs. J. H. Hayward, rear 17 Cordis street, Charlestown, Mass., cured of a 
very large ovarian tumor. 

Samuel B. Logan, Esq., 35 Walnut Street, Chelsea, Mass., his son perfectly 
cured of a cough that he was born with. 

Ascher B. Poland, Gloucester, Mass., curvature of spine ; cured. 

Frank L. Ranville, Springfield, Vt, awful cancer on tongue, running down 
to the stomach; perfectly cured. 



280 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

William A. Ford, Esq., Somerville, Mass., child cured of St. Vitus' dance 
with two treatments. 

S. C. Dike, Esq., 470 Washington street, Boston, Mass., heart disease; 
cured. 

Nathaniel S. Averell, 79 Boston street, Salem, Mass., loss of voice over 
one year; cured instantly. 

John Madison, 48 Moulton street, Charlestown, Mass., sciatica ; cured with 
one treatment. 

Mrs. Lovitt Beal, Florence, Northampton, Mass., spine disease and bad 
humor ; perfectly cured. 

Mrs. Andrew Jackson, Keene, N. IT., cured of a goitre, heart disease, and 
dyspepsia. She was so run down with general debility and weakness that her 
life was despaired of; she was perfectly cured. 

John Hubbard, Andover, Mass., heart disease and dyspepsia ; cured and 
went to work at once. 

William P. Butterfield, Cambridgeport, Mass., large cancer on neck; 
was in an awful condition ; perfectly cured. 

Eben Gilchrist, Milton, Mass., cured of consumption three months ago; 
in two weeks went to work, and been well ever since. 

Josiah Hunt, Cummington, Mass., cured of paralysis some time since; threw 
aside his crutches, and perfectly well since. His mother had same disease, not 
so bad ; she was also cured, and remains well. 

Miss Ada Rowe, Manchester, N. H., paralyzed hands ; perfectly cured. 

Minnie Lawrence, Falmouth, Mass., contracted feet and muscles ; cured to 
walk well. 

Mrs. George E. Haskell, Harvard, Mass., cured of internal abscess. 

Ella Sanderson, Dedham, Mass., loss of voice ; cured instantly. 

Sarah Frankie Page, North Charlestown, N. H., cured of bad cancer in 
breast. 

Benjamin Cline, Manchester, N. H., epilepsy, three years ; cured. 

Edwin W. Thompson, 6 Conant place, Boston Highlands, cured of very bad 
sore hand. 

Mrs. James Coos, East Gloucester, Mass., lame ten years ; cured with one 
treatment to walk without crutches and without limping. This was two months 
since ; she continues perfectly well. 

From the same (date not preserved) : — 

A REMARKABLE CASE OF RESTORATION. 

We have a case of healing to report of no ordinary magnitude. As it occurred 
in one of our neighboring towns — Somerville — and the parties are well known in 
this city, we now give publicity to it for the general good of all ; but, in order to 
test the permanency of the cure, we delayed doing so for a number of weeks. 

We will state the case as briefly as possible, premising that we have been 
acquainted with the parties — father and son — for more than twenty-five years. 
Both are gentlemen of character, and highly esteemed by large circles of friends. 



AGAIN IN AMERICA. 28 1 

Eleven months ago, Mr. Edward L. Gilman (son of Charles E. Gilman, Esq. 
town clerk of Somerville, Mass.), who had been suffering more or less for several 
years, was finally compelled to give up business entirely, and has most of the 
time since been confined to his bed. The disease proved to be neuralgia of the 
cerebral and optic nerves. Previous to taking his bed he had visited various 
parts of the world, seeking relief from the constantly increasing affliction ; but all 
in vain. He returned home, and soon became completely prostrated. For the 
last six months his sufferings have been of the most excruciating character. He 
was attended by seven physicians, who stand in the front rank of their profession. 
For nearly five months his case seemed almost hopeless, and the only momentary 
sleep and relief from terrible agony was obtained by subcutaneous injections of 
morphine. His physicians one after another pronounced further efforts useless, 
as all had been done for him that medical skill could devise. One of the 
physicians, however, Dr. Charles W. Stevens — all honor to him for so liberal an 
act even at that last moment — as a last resort, recommended that Dr. J. R. New- 
ton, the magnetic healer, be sent for, earnestly expressing the hope that his efforts 
might prove effectual. The parents giving their consent, Dr. Newton was called 
upon, and promised to visit the patient that afternoon. He arrived at Mr. Gil- 
man's house a little before six o'clock, July 29th, and in less than ten minutes 
after he had entered the room of the dying patient, he restored him by simply 
" laying on of hands." Mr. Gilman immediately arose from his bed, dressed 
himself and walked out into the street, to the great consternation of the neighbors, 
who had but a short time before been in to take a last farewell of their friend, 
whom they believed was then dying and could not survive but a few hours at 
longest. 

Comment is entirely unnecessary in such a clear case as the above. The 
facts can easily be vouched for by hundreds of neighbors and friends. Besides, 
any one who feels disposed to learn further particulars, can call at the residence 
of Mr. Charles E. Gilman, Walnut street, Winter Hill, Somerville, and obtain 
them from Mr. Edward L. Gilman himself, who will be happy to give all the 
details required. He has been in to see us several times, and we are happy to 
state that he is looking well, considering the terrible siege he has undergone, and 
has regained twenty-five pounds of lost weight — having been reduced to ninety- 
seven and a half pounds.* 

* With reference to this case, Mr. Gilman writes to the editor of this volume, under date of 
Somerville, Mass., Dec. 15, 1875: — 

"Dear Sir, — The statement you refer to in regard to my case is correct. Dr. Newton stated 
at the time, that unless the loose pieces of bone were removed there was danger of a return of the 
trouble. After his treatment I was to all appearance a well man for some six months, when the 
pieces of bone began working, and I got no relief until they were removed — some 20 pieces in all — 
about two years after. Since then I have suffered intensely, but think that Dr. Newton would 
make a well man of me could I see him. 

" Yours respectfully, 

" EDWARD L. GILMAN." 



282 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

CURE BY DR. NEWTON. 

Mrs. F. A. Ellis, 17 Springfield St., Boston, was afflicted with a lumbar 
abscess, and had been confined to her couch in constant pain three years. She 
was carried to Dr. Newton upon a bed, moaning with pain. She was instantly 
cured, and walked home the distance of a mile, and on her arrival her friends 
found to their intense astonishment that the abscess was gone, and no trace left 
but a scar. 

The following emphatic testimony, based on personal observa- 
tion, was contributed to the journal from which we have quoted by 
Hon. Selden J. Finney, late State Senator of California : — 

DR. J. R. NEWTON. 

Dear Banner : — I feel that a word of grateful recognition is due, from very 
many persons, to the really wonderful healing powers and to the uniform kind- 
ness, to the sick and poor, of our friend and co-laborer, Dr. J. R. Newton. Hun- 
dreds, perhaps thousands, have been either wholly healed by him or much relieved 
from long suffering and disease. The poor he does not charge, but pays them to 
come to him — at least, in many instances, to my personal knowledge. I have seen, 
and know him to cure blindness of long standing, permanently. I once saw him 
cure a woman of deafness in one year, of twenty years' standing, and do it in- 
stantly too. I have seen the maimed go to him on crutches, and leave in one 
minute, or even less, with the crutches on their shoulders. I have known a case 
of almost blindness of long years' standing cured instantly. In the city of Cleve- 
land, O., when lecturing there, I saw him cure a boy almost instantly of lameness, 
of seven months' standing, caused by a severe injury from a street car. This 
boy had not stepped on his foot for that length of time (as his mother testified 
in my audience of near three hundred people), until healed by the Doctor. She 
came and publicly thanked God, the angels, and Dr. Newton, for this blessing. 
I am informed of many other such cases. 

Can the churches produce any such evidences of their true discipleship ? 
" By their fruits shall ye know them." " He that believeth in me, the works that 
I do shall he do also, and greater works shall he do, because I go to my Father." 
" And these signs shall follow them that believe : * * * They shall lay 
hands on the sick, and they shall recover." — [See Mark xvi : ijt/i to igtk verses]. 

I hope that some competent person will take the office of collecting all or 
many authentic cases of Bro. Newton's healing experience, identify them care- 
fully, conscientiously, and publish them in good preservable form. Spiritualism 
is making history as no sinvlar event ever did before. Let us save all these 
wonderful facts, ascertain their exact character and value, and so close the doors 
against fraud, exaggeration and denial, and furnish the future with elements of 
true history. As Spiritualists, living amid the daily observation of these things, 
we grow careless and indifferent to their real worth and significance. Dr. New- 
ton's work is most worthy a place in history. When some great revolution 



AGAIN IN AMERICA. 283 

comes again, it may be that persecution, intolerance, or the temporary triumph 
of the regressive tendency in religion, will obliterate all loose traditionary relics 
of this hour, as the early Christians burnt all the books of "heretics" who wrote 
against their theology. Let us save every fact. The future will need them. 

Let it not be said hereafter of us : " The Divine Guest was among them and 
they knew it not." And besides, we all long, yearn to be lovingly recognized. 
Every good deed deserves the cordial approbation of our fellows. The spiritual 
reformer has quite enough to contend with from the careless, heartless opposition 
of the outside world, and too often, alas, from those who live nearest to him or 
her. To him who gives life itself to the advocacy and illustration of new ideas, 
and especially to spiritual ideas, which lay hold on the supersensuous and divine 
in this animalized world, there will be cold enough from abroad to blow chill 
against his bosom. 

Brothers, sisters, let's love each other more and more loftily, more cordially, 
more divinely. Let's look for the good deeds to praise and to imitate. 

I am most cordially yours, 

SELDEN J. FINNEY. 



In October, 1872, Doctor Newton made a visit to California, 
stopping by the way some ten days in Salt Lake City, where, by 
invitation, he healed the sick publicly for a few days. 

Arriving in San Francisco, he located himself at the Cosmo- 
politan Hotel. Many persons had long desired the Doctor to visit 
the Pacific coast, and he was warmly welcomed by all those who 
knew of his great success, elsewhere, as a healer. That the same 
beneficent " works " followed him here as in other lands will 
appear from the following extracts, taken from an article in the 
San Francisco Daily Evening Post of Jan. 1873 : — 

A reporter of the Post recently visited the Rooms of Dr. J. R. Newton, now 
in this city, for the purpose of witnessing some of the cures he is reported daily 
to perform. ****** 

Dr. Newton has three rooms on the first floor of the Cosmopolitan Hotel, 
one a general reception room, a private room for ladies, and an operating room 
with folding doors, which in a majority of cases are left open. Our reporter had 
a seat in a corner, and watched with interest the continued throng of patients 
who passed in and out. During the time he was there a count showed their 
number to have been eighty, of both sexes, and of all ages and conditions of life, 
who were afflicted with pretty much all the ills the flesh is heir to. Dr. Newton 
does not pretend to cure all who come to him, and a number are turned away 
with the declaration that it is impossible to help them. This occurred several 
times during our reporter's visit Others he tells he can cure, and proceeds to 

operate upon them. 

****** * ** 



284 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

"While our reporter was in the Doctor's rooms, one gentleman came in on 
crutches, limping along with great difficulty. The Doctor said he could cure him, 
and put him through a course of passes and rubbings, and in ten minutes the 
man had thrown away his crutches, and was dancing and gyrating in the most 
laughable manner. Some of the lookers-on laughed at his ridiculous motions, but 
he told them to laugh away, he had the use of his legs again, and could afford 
to let them laugh. 

Another remarkable case was of a woman who seemed to have a film over 
her eyes, and who said she was blind. The Doctor talked to her awhile, made 
some passes, pressed his thumbs upon her eyelids, and told her she could see. 
She winked slowly, like a bat brought into the sunshine, then declared she could 
see ; and taking up a newspaper she commenced to read it — the first reading, 
according to her own declaration, that she had done for six years. Her joy was 
affecting. 

A little child was brought in on a pillow. It seemed perfectly helpless, un- 
able to move any portion of its body except its eyes ; yet in half an hour it was 
sitting up, playing and laughing. Among the visitors were a number who had 
been treated before ; one of them a young man who had been entirely cured of a 
large abdominal tumor. He said that at the time of his first treatment he had 
not left his bed for six weeks, and now he is doing well. His residence is on 
the corner of Twenty-sixth and Howard streets. Another visitor had been cured 
of hip disease in three treatments, and left his crutches with the Doctor as a 
trophy of his skill. Another of Dr. Newton's mementos is the crutch of a lady 
from Nevada, now stopping at the Cosmopolitan Hotel. She was suffering 
severely from a white swelling in the knee, and could not walk without a crutch. 
Under Dr. Newton's treatment she has quite recovered, and seems as though 
she never had been lame. Since her cure she has attended and danced at 
a ball. 

Another patient who our reporter saw in Dr. Newton's rooms was a young 
man who said he had been insane, but had been cured in six treatments. He is 
now well and rational. He says that his only trouble now is an occasional pain 
in his temples. 

Another striking case was that of a Mr. Simmons, who was cured instanta- 
neously of deafness, with which he said he had been afflicted nearly thirty years, 
and who was almost wild with joy and excitement at recovering his hearing. 
Mrs, Martha Webster, of 28 Stanly Place, was also cured of deafness almost 
immediately. Captain Farnsworth, stopping at the Russ House, was cured of 
Bright's disease and asthma, and F. Hoffman was cured of a cancerous tumor. 
Among the patients of Dr. Newton is a millionaire stock broker, who is now 
stopping at the Cosmopolitan, and a prominent lawyer, resident of Oakland, who 
has nearly recovered from Bright's disease of the kidneys — a disease which has 

hitherto been thought incurable. 

****** ** * 

We give in addition a short list of cures lately performed which we get from 
well authenticated sources. 

Jotham C. Curtis, Murphy's Camp, Calaveras County; cured instantly of 
deafness of many years' standing. 



AGAIN IN AMERICA. 285 

Annie Sutherland, 1012 Adeline street, Oakland; blindness and weak- 
ness of eyes for five years ; perfectly cured. 

Stephen Abbott, Antioch ; dyspepsia, liver complaint, and gall-stones ; 
gall-stones removed and a complete cure effected in one treatment. 

Ellen Nickerson, Alameda Point ; weak eyes and dimness of vision four 
years ; cured. 

William Williams, 1014 Stockton street ; heart disease and neuralgia ; 
cured. 

Lulu Kimball, 652 Market street ; paralysis and St. Vitus' dance ; unable 
to talk or walk ; perfectly cured. 

General E. C. Davis, Virginia City; liver complaint for five years ; cured. 

Mrs. Sarah Harrington, Turk street, incipient paralysis and general 
debility ; perfectly restored. 

James Hatch, 22 Tehama street, swollen liver ; cured. 

Sidney Smith, Canon City, Trinity County, softening of the brain. Ten 
different physicians had pronounced him incurable ; cured in a few weeks. 

Wm. Spangler, 155 New Montgomery street, consumption eight years, and 
for two years unable to work. Had tried many physicians to no purpose ; 
gained sixteen pounds in three weeks ; will answer any questions. 

Hon. Charles E. Tuttle, Oakland, cured of Bright's disease, after the 
efforts of many physicians. 

Mrs. Annie Jameson, 106 Austin street, lameness. 

John Johnson, 126 Second street, scrofula on face twelve years. Spent all 
his property to no effect ; cured in two treatments. 

Wm. T. Collins, 205 Fifth street, disease of bladder and kidneys. 

Bent. R. Collins, 208 Fifth street, heart disease in its worst form; extraor- 
dinary case. 

Ernest BlakE, 28^ Lankton street, defective sight. 

Warren F. Myers, Gait House, bad case of chronic rheumatism ; perfectly 
cured. 

H. P. Mosier, Oakland Point, varicose veins. 

F. A. Tierman, 11 Oak Grove avenue, lame foot. 

Mrs. Alice Davis, 526 Geary street, liver complaint and gall stones ; twelve 
years sick ; had had eight physicians ; gall stones removed and a cure effected 
in two treatments. 

Mrs. M. A. Harton, 1327 Pacific street, sick over twenty years ; cured. 

Dr. Newton remained in California (with the exception of a 
brief visit to St. Louis in the winter of 1874) about three years, 
confining his labors to the cities of San Francisco and Sacramento, 
passing intervals of rest and recreation in the mountain regions of 
the Pacific slope. 

Much interest was manifested in his private operations in 
California, and many cures were wrought as marvellous as any here- 



286 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

tofore recorded. Many invalids came from a long distance to avail 
themselves of his healing power, — some from distant States and 
territories, from Mexico and Lower California. Various items 
appeared from time to time, in the public prints, relative to his 
work, and numerous private letters were received acknowledging 
the wonderful benefits conferred upon suffering invalids through 
the agency of his great gift. We append but a few cases, so many 
have already been given. Most of these were remarkable for being 
instantaneous cures of very obstinate and chronic diseases, and all 
are believed to be well authenticated, though the names of the 
journals in which they were printed have not been preserved. 

" The cure of Mrs. Bragg, O street, between 4th and 5th, Sacramento, was 
unexpected and marvellous, both to herself and friends. She was afflicted with 
hip-disease and rheumatism, and was unable to walk a step. She was cured with 
two treatments, and continues well." 

" Henry C. Blake, 233 Montgomery street, San Francisco, was cured of 
paralysis in leg. His wife was cured of rheumatism and tumor on the neck." 

'• Henry Berwick, Sacramento, was severely afflicted with disease of the 
bladder and kidneys, heart disease and painful nervous twitching of the eye-lids. 
He came to Dr. Xewton from the Citv Hospital, where he had been under treat- 
ment of the best physicians, but without being cured. With a few treatments he 
was entirely cured." 

" A remarkable cure of a distressing case of epilepsy was performed by Dr. J. 
R. Xewton, now stopping at the Arcade Hotel. Mrs. Jane Beauchamp, living 
on Tenth street, Sacramento, was cured instantly of a disease that has baffled 
the skill of the best physicians. She has not had a symptom of fits since." 

" Sidney Smith, Sacramento, was permanently cured of lung disease and 
a consumptive cough with hemorrhage, although advanced in years." 

"Thomas P. Ford, corner Seventh and I streets, Sacramento, was cured of 
spinal disease of long standing. He was unable to work and could walk only a 
short distance. The cure was instantaneous and complete, and he soon returned 
to his business which had been neglected for many months." 

"W. C. Burnett, City Attorney, San Francisco, brought his son, a boy of 
twelve years of age, to Sacramento, June 24th, 1S75, to ^ e curec l °f chorea, or St. 
Vitus' Dance. It was a bad case, and he was constantly growing worse. Dr. 
Xewton, in two minutes' time, entirely removed the disease, and the boy appeared 
at once as well and smart as ever. His father immediately telegraphed to his 
wife the good news of their son's restoration. Mr. Burnett had hitherto had but 
little faith in the healing power, or spiritualism, but this cure, so instantaneous, 
so wonderful, and so apparently done by the aid of an unseen power, convinced 
him at once of the truth of both." 

'•' Wm. Lyon, J St., Sacramento, was also cured of a distressing disease of 



AGAIN IN AMERICA. 287 

the head, caused by over-work, which would have finally ended fatally in soften- 
in"- of the brain. It is now two years since he was restored, and he remains 
perfectly well." 

" M. D. Brewer, same place, was prostrated with erysipelas in the head. Dr. 
Newton relieved him of all pain at once, by sending him a magnetic shock, 
through Mr. Lyon, who called to see the Doctor in his behalf." 

" Cyrus Wheeler, business partner of Gov. Booth, was cured of inflamma- 
tory rheumatism, by magnetic treatment from Dr. Newton." 

"Amos Waring, of Washington, Yolo County, was cured of rheumatism 
and gout in both feet. Severe case." 

" Sarah Hutchins, Sacramento, cured in one treatment of liver complaint 
and gall stones." 

The following cases of cures appear under date of Feb. 1876 : — 

"Irene McAden, 146 nth St., San Francisco, was entirely cured of fistula 
(what medical doctors rarely cure and only by the use of the knife). Fistula 
discharged constantly, and was of long standing." 

"John Mitchel, Stanislaus Co., Cal., was cured of paralysis in left leg." 
" Mrs. Hagenkemps' daughter, 218 Clara street, San Francisco, was entirely 
cured of St. Vitus' Dance in its worst form." 

From the St Louis Democrat, of Dec, 1874 : — 

To the Public : — I desire to give expression publicly to my deep sense of 
gratitude to Dr. J. R. Newton, No. 1015 Olive street, for his wonderful cure of my 
wife, who has been suffering with spinal disease, caused by a fall from a carriage 
three years ago. At times she has suffered intensely. A relief seemed beyond 
the reach of medicines or physicians. Remembering a marvellous cure of my 
sister by Dr. Newton, a number of years ago, I prevailed on my wife to visit 
him, and at a time when she was suffering from a very severe attack of the 
disease. She did so, and, as if by magic, was instantly relieved; has remained 
so since, and I believe is permanently cured. 

I feel it is a duty to suffering humanity to inform them of this astonishing 
cure. L. M. Crane, Jr., 

510 and 512 North Fourth street. 

I hereby certify the above statement is true in all particulars. 

J. H. Crane. 



In May, 1876, Dr. Newton returned east with the intention of 
locating permanently in New York city or vicinity. After a suc- 
cessful practice in the city, he visited the south, passing the winter 
of 1876 and 1877 m Louisville, Ky., and Cincinnati, Ohio, and on 
his return, began to turn his mind toward a plan long had in view, 
that of making healing at a distance a specialty and his chief work. 



288 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

This plan had been devised and approved by and through spirit 
agencies, and further development and increase of power for this 
particular work had been promised him to carry out this purpose ; 
and to better break away from the more active labors of his pro- 
fession, he passed considerable time, at intervals, at a distance 
from crowded cities and towns, carrying on his correspondence 
with patients, and treating by magnetized letters, and finally located 
at Yonkers-on-the-Hudson, N. Y. Here he pursues his labors, 
dispensing the blessings of health to the sick everywhere, by the 
exercise of that marvellous will-power, sending forth the balm of 
healing to the remotest quarters of the globe. We have before us 
a large mass of testimony to Dr. Newton's healing power, covering 
this period of three years, both of cures performed in person and 
at a distance. Some of the latter appear elsewhere in this work. 
(See Chapter XI.) From the former, we select only the two fol- 
lowing cases, as, after the large amount of testimony already given 
"in these pages, additional statements might not be of interest, even 
if the limits of this work admitted their reproduction. 

The cure of Miss Minnie Russell, of Belle Valley, Pa., in Feb., 
1877, is one of the most remarkable on record, and may appro- 
priately be numbered among the miracles of modern times. Her 
case is thus described : — 

" Miss Russell had suffered from nervous and spinal disease for more than 
two years. She could not raise her head from her pillow, nor her hands to her 
head. Her limbs were drawn up and joints anchylozed; she could bear neither 
light nor sound. She was confined in a room in a remote part of the house, and 
every possible arrangement made to render her condition endurable. The win- 
dows were boarded up and packed with sawdust, to exclude light and muffle 
sound, double doors had been constructed, so that the entrance to her room was 
by a dark passage in order that no light could be admitted on entering. The 
room was ventilated by an aperture beneath a window, that admitted air but no 
light. In this living sepulchre, this death in life, the weary months dragged 
slowly on with the young sufferer. Not even temporary relief could be found, 
until they heard of Dr. Newton and his great power of healing, when they at once 
sent for him. He accompanied the father to his house and was led into the 
darkened chamber. After a half hour's treatment, he commanded the windows 
to be uncovered, which was done, and beyond a little unpleasantness from the 
glare of the light, she could bear it well. The Doctor then continued the treat- 
ment, and bade her rise, and she was soon seated in a chair by the bed. She 
then sat at the table and dined with the happy family. After a few hours he left 
her, cured, with the exception of the stiff joints, which he assured her would 



AGAIN IN AMERICA. 289 

come straight in a few days or weeks. True to this prediction, the limbs grad- 
ually straightened, and in one year and a half, she visited New York city." 

It is impossible to adequately describe the above scene. It is beyond the 
power of words to put in expression the great joy brought to that household by 
this raising from the dead, as it were, a loved and idolized child. The follow- 
ing is an extract from a letter from the father to Dr. Newton, written a few days 
after the cure : 



Belle Valley, Feb. 20, 1877. 

Dear Dr. Newton : — I now write you to express to you our thanks and joy 
for what you have been the means under God of doing for us in thus restoring to 
daylight and health our darling child. Oh ! it seems so wonderful, so strange, 
that she has been lifted thus instantly from the long, bitter darkness of twenty- 
seven months to see the glorious light of the sun, and that the body so covered 
with tenderness should be thus restored to soundness and strength ! Yes, to see 
her sitting with us at the family table, and feeding herself, when for more than 
a year she has depended on others to do this for her — it seems truly over- 
whelming; and to think you have been God's instrument to thus change instantly 
our house from darkness and mourning (for it seemed like a constant funeral) to 
one of light and rejoicing, thus causing our friends and neighbors to " come and 
rejoice with us " — it seems indeed too much for one day ! But such indeed is the 
case with us. Minnie continues as you left her day before yesterday. If those 
lower limbs were only straight, I presume she could walk alone. We think they 
are improving, and if, as you say, they will assume their proper position and 
perform their proper office in a few days, the cure will indeed be complete, and 
she will he "walking, leaping, and praising God." O friend, * * * you cannot 
think what a change in everything about us you have wronght ! * * * * 

I will now close by saying, May God bless you for this great blessing to us ! 
Mrs. Russell joins with me in all this, and will write you soon, but now she is 
kept so busy by people calling to see this wonderful sight. 

Yours truly and sincerely, 

G. J. RUSSELL. 

From the Banner of Light : — 

REMARKABLE CURE BY DR. J. R. NEWTON. 

The following letter, which was forwarded to Dr. Newton, the healer, without 
solicitation on his part, is full of the soul of gratitude, and furnishes additional 
evidence of the wonderful powers possessed by this venerable worker in the 
spiritual field : 

Dr. J. R. Newton : Dear Sir — As an expression of intense thankfulness, 
and from a sense of duty to my suffering fellow-men, I desire to state briefly the 
remarkable cure of my daughter, of nine years of age. She inherited a very 
feeble constitution, and has always been very frail from birth, especially subject 

J 9 



29O THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

to attacks of inflammation of the eyes. Last -winter she had a protracted blind- 
ness for several weeks, which was at last greatly intensified by an attack of 
measles, which threatened total blindness. The best opticians and regular phy- 
. : ms failed to accomplish anything. In utter despair, having heard of your 
great success as a healer, we decided to try your method, and we hare reason 
to thank God that we were so directed. Even upon our first visit you succeeded 
in showing her the blessed light, which she had not seen in many weary weeks, 
and in a few treatments she was entirely restored to us. No medicine, nothing 
but the divine touch of magnetism ! 

Mv prejudices were always in favor of the regular prof ession, but these "stub- 
born facts " are stronger than theories. Alas ! that " selfish interest " and the 
learned ignorance of the "schools 7 ' should ignore this wonderful power of heal- 
ing — but so it has ever been. 

Mav God and his good angels still abide with you, and give you long life and 
this power to bless your fellow men, is the earnest prayer of myself and wife. 

Yours very truly, 

E. C. PHELPS. 
Phelps"* Conservatory of Music, 24 Greene Ave., Brooklyn, K. Y., Aug. 25th, 1876. 



REMINISCENCES. 2CjI 



CHAPTER XX. 

REMINISCENCES OF DR. NEWTON, BY HIS FORMER SECRETARY. 

First acquaintance with the Doctor. — His labors in New Haven. — Several notable cures. — 
He goes to Hartford. — Cures in that city. — Visits the Shakers at Enfield. — Proceeds to 
Washington, D. C. — Distinguished Patients. — Next to Springfield, Mass. — Many re- 
markable cases. — Voyage to Europe. — Disappointment and speedy return. — Opens at 
Rochester, N. Y. — More marvellous cures. — Visits Auburn and Canandaigua. — Proceeds 
to Chicago. — Exciting period. — Invalids flock from all quarters. — To Davenport, Iowa. — 
Usual success. — To Springfield, 111. — Funeral of the martyred President. — Distin- 
guished friends. — Proceeds to Toledo, O. — Crowds of visitors, and wonderful cures. — 
Extraordinary case. — Excitement and threats of a mob. — A noble defender. — Next in 
Portland, Me. — Interesting cases. — Columbus, O. — Dr. Newton's benevolence. — The 
old colored cripple. — Charities sometimes in excess of receipts. — The blind pilot re- 
stored to sight. — Opening in New York city. — Great crowds and thrilling scenes. — 
Some distinguished visitors. — Salem and Boston, Mass. — More remarkable cases. — End 
of connection with Dr. Newton. — His personal habits and characteristics. 

This incomplete and fragmentary record of a marvellous career 
can hardly be more appropriately closed than by the following nar- 
rative of reminiscences, by one who was intimately associated with 
Dr. Newton in his labors and travels for several years. It is the 
simple and naive story, often quaintly told, of an old man whose 
personal observations seem to have inspired him with an un- 
bounded affection and reverence for the " great healer " of modern 
times. They have qualified him also to be a witness whose testi- 
mony it will be difficult to impeach. His recollections supply 
numerous interesting items not elsewhere noted, while they are 
largely corroborative of those already given. 



REMINISCENCES OF DR. J. R. NEWTON, BY AUSTIN A. HILL, HIS 

FORMER SECRETARY. 

The writer of the following narrative, having reached almost the limit of the 
years appointed to man, and casting a glance of retrospection over his long life, 
finds his memory clinging to the years of his connection with this truly wonderful 



292 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

man ; and in noting some of the events and marvellous experiences of those 
years, he hopes, by bearing evidence to the truth, to repay in a slight degree the 
many acts of kindness received from the "great healer." 

My acquaintance with Dr. Newton was accidental, and occurred in this wise : 
When the Doctor visited New Haven, in the summer of 1S63, a gentleman then 
boarding with me, acted as his secretary ; and, finding it necessary to leave the city 
for a few days, asked me to take his place, which I did. On his return he found 
that the Doctor seemed suited with me, and it was arranged that I should con- 
tinue ; Dr. N. making me his secretary. 

This was my first introduction to and acquaintance with Dr. James Rogers New- 
ton. This acquaintance ripened into a warm friendship and mutual confidence, 
which has continued to the present time. Dr. Newton remained several weeks in 
New Haven, being located on York street The crowds that visited him dailv 
filled the house and the grounds connected therewith. Of the many afflicted 
persons that visited Dr. Newton, the following are a few of the most prominent : — 

Jennie A. Wait, of Sandy Hook, Conn., abscess of the hip of several years' 
standing, was fully restored, the affliction having been from childhood. Miss 
Wait visited Dr. N. in 1S66, while we were at No. 6 St. Mark's Place, N. Y., 
entirely restored, and would run up the long stairs much quicker than I could. 

Miss Caroline F. Davis, of Guilford, Ct., brought on a bed sixteen miles, 
afflicted with spinal disease and female weakness ; had not walked for six 
years, or spoken even above a whisper for four years ; was cured instantly, 
walked away rejoicing, and talked as freely as any one. Miss Davis also 
visited the Doctor in New York. She said she came to thank him for what he 
did for her three years before. 

Ada Rendell, daughter of Mr. Rendell, carriage manufacturer, a young girl 
14 or 15 years of age. Dr. N. visited her at her father's house, corner of Chapel 
and Park streets, New Haven, found her entirely helpless, and with one treat- 
ment had her walking her room. The next day she walked from her father's 
house bi Dr. Newton's rooms in York street. She also visited the Doctor in 
1S66, well and smart. 

Mrs. Wm. Toohy, of Hartford, was brought into our rooms in her husband's 
arms. She was cured instantly, walked out to the hack that took her back to the 
cars. Mrs. Toohy called on us while in Hartford, in September, well. Her 
trouble was spinal and female complaint. 

A gentleman by the name of Root, from Bristol, Ct, had his knee injured by 
a fall ; could not bear the least weight on the injured limb ; was able to walk 
away comfortably with a cane, and in a few days was entirely well. His uncle 
residing in New Haven often spoke to me of the remarkable cure of his nephew. 

Many from families of wealth visited Dr. N. in New Haven, and were treated 
bv him ; some were permanently cured, others received great benefit. Among 
those visiting him were Nelson Hotchkiss, Edwin Marble, Henry Hooker, and 
many others. 

After this stay in New Haven, Dr. N. made arrangements to visit Hartford, 
which we did the following September, and were located in what was known as 
the Terrv Mansion in Pleasant street. 



REMINISCENCES OF DR. NEWTON. 293 

While in Hartford, Dr. N. had his usual success, and many wonderful cures 
were performed, among those who visited him were C. U. C. Burton, the Artist, 
who was made to walk a mile at a time, without help or company of any kind, 
whereas he could not walk at all safely without assistance previously. 

I regret exceedingly that I have no record or minutes of any kind to refresh 
my memory of names and dates, having to depend entirely upon my mental 
reflections to supply this deficiency; but when I attempt to g've either, they may 
be depended upon as in the main correct. 

. While we were in Hartford, Dr. N. received an invitation to spend a Sunday 
with the Shakers at Enfield, Ct. We had a very pleasant visit, and the Doctor 
treated many patients successfully. We attended their meeting in the morning, 
and were treated very handsomely by these quiet people. They, being generally 
spiritualists, coincided with the Doctor on religious subjects, which made the day 
to pass harmoniously and pleasantly. 

In Hartford, we were visited by many of the people of wealth and high social 
standing, and by the press were treated with consideration and courtesy. Mr. 
Burr, of the Hartford Times, an invalid of long standing, was greatly benefited 
by the treatment of Dr. Newton. His paper often had editorials in high praise. 
The Times being one of the oldest papers in Hartford, lent a powerful influence 
in favor of Dr Newton. 

After our labors at Hartford, Ave had rest for a few weeks. 

About the first of December we opened in Washington, D. C, where we 
remained till after New Year's, 1864. Dr. Newton had for patients several 
heads of departments, congressmen, judges, and others of high standing, most of 
whom he visited at their residences in the city. Though the weather was ex- 
tremely cold, the Potomac being frozen over, we had a very pleasant sojourn of 
several weeks, and then returned to our homes to pass the remainder of the 
winter, having agreed to open a spring campaign at Springfield, Mass. 

In April, 1864, we opened at the Union House in Springfield — Dr. Newton 
boarding at the Massasoit. Here we had some wonderful cures, one of which 
was that of Thomas W. Wason, the car-builder, who was relieved of a tumor in 
the stomach of an alarming size. Mr. Wason related the case to me some five 
or six months afterward. He said that Dr. Newton told him, that the tumor 
would pass off in his discharges in four hours and a half, and in exactly that 
length of time it did pass away, and in great quantity. In six days after this, 
Mr. W. took his wife, and with a fine span of horses drove to Peterboro, N. H., 
a distance of about 100 miles. Mr. Wason sent the Doctor his check for $100. 
The cure of Mr. Wason made a great stir, not only in Springfield, but the whole 
neighborhood, and people flocked in crowds to our rooms. 

Another case of equal prominence was that of Hon. D. L. Harris, formerly 
mayor of Springfield, but at this time a member of the Massachusetts Legislature. 
Mr. H. had been injured by being thrown from a carriage, and had been under 
the cure of the best physicians in Springfield, Worcester, and Boston. Dr. N., 
through his clairvoyance, discovered the trouble, and in less than five minutes 
had Mr. Harris walking without his crutches. He could walk without even a 
cane, and was cured by the first treatment. 



294 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

We had many good cases in Springfield, but as I cannot recall the names, I 
am obliged to pass them by. The result of our visit was extremely satisfactory, 
not only to us but to all friends of the cause. We went to Worcester in May. 

The next move we made was to cross the Atlantic, a long-talked-of expedi- 
tion. Dr. N. hoped he would be permitted to lecture to the people in the market 
places of the Old World, and heal the poor free. Accordingly we sailed from 
Boston, July 18th, in the steamer Asia; had a very pleasant voyage, but found, 
on our arrival in England, that the public regulations would not permit open-air 
gatherings, as the Doctor had expected. So, to his great disappointment, we 
were compelled to relinquish the undertaking, and concluded to make a flying 
visit to the continent, and return home in season for a fall campaign. 

This we did, opening in Rochester, N. Y., early in the fall, and continuing 
there till cold weather. We secured operating rooms in Washington Hall, with 
quarters at the Osborn House. Here we had a great run of visitors with 
many marvellous cures. But the most interesting cases were in distant cities 
and towns, which Dr. N. visited between Saturday afternoon and Monday morn- 
ing. One of these was at Elmira, N. Y., where Dr. N. went to treat Miss 
Libbie Langdon, whom he cured, and she has since married the author known 
as " Mark Twain." Dr. N. found her suffering with spinal disease ; could not be 
raised to a sitting posture in her bed for over four years. She was almost like 
death itself. With one characteristic treatment he made her to cross the room 
with assistance, and in a few days the cure was complete. 

Another good case while at Rochester, was that of John Magee, of Watkins, 
Steuben Co. Mr. Magee told me that Dr. N. had told him exactly what his 
trouble was, and, while at dinner at the Osborn House, said that he felt confident 
that he was cured, and had had but one treatment. Mr. Magee was very wealthy, 
and voluntarily paid a large fee. From Rochester we returned to our homes in 
December, expecting to open in Chicago the following spring. 

While we were in Rochester, we made short visits to Auburn and Canan- 
daigua, with good success. Old Allopathy was stirred to its depths, while Old 
Theology stood aghast, — at least, the leaders thereof, — for they could not pre- 
vent their followers from flocking to see and hear for themselves. From these 
two professions we met with the most determined opposition. The partisans did 
not dare to break out into riot, but it was plain to see the old leaven at work. 
But all liberal minds seemed overjoyed, and came to see the Doctor in crowds. 
At Auburn we met with men who were untiring in their acts of sympathy and 
encouragement. Many were the wonders performed by Dr. Newton in this gar- 
den of Western N. Y. 

We started for Chicago early in March, 1865, and took quarters at the Sher- 
man House. We had the South Parlor on the principal floor for reception room, 
with operating rooms connected. We were in Chicago at a very interesting time 
of our national troubles. The city was all excitement. Richmond had surren- 
dered. Grant and Sherman were getting near each other. Lee and Johnston 
were between them. There was no escape ; consequently the war was at an 
end. Chicago was in a blaze of fire-works. A procession, said to be four miles 
long, was gotten up in less than half an hour after the news reached the city. In 



REMINISCENCES OF DR. NEWTON. 295 

the midst of this excitement, we had our rooms full of patients from the ad- 
jacent and distant country. The Sherman House was thronged during our 
entire stay of several weeks. Mr. Sherman, the owner of the Sherman House, 
was one of the Doctor's patients, and was cured. Mr. McCormick, the inventor 
of the Reaper, was another patient. Invalids came from Iowa, Wisconsin, 
Michigan, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, Minnesota, and from Kentucky and Ten- 
nessee. The like was never seen in this country. It was equalled only by the 
"pool of Bethesda." 

The interesting and wonderful cases of cure were numerous, in full propor- 
tion to the number of visitors. The number of registered names must have been 
over 10,000, but fully nine-tenths were free patients, or those not liable to pay for 
treatment — the Doctor's rule being that if a patient was worth less than $1000, 
he or she was cured " without money and without price." 

We left Chicago in April, and went to Davenport, Iowa. There we held a 
session at the Burtis House. We had a good run of visitors while there, with 
about our usual success. It was while we were at Davenport that we learned the 
dreadful news of the assassination of President Lincoln. This news so over- 
whelmed us, that it was a long time before the Doctor could rally his energies for 
successful treatment. We hardly realized how much we loved that good and 
great man, till he was removed by the violence of political hate. 

From Davenport we went to Springfield, 111., and took quarters at the St. 
Nicholas Hotel. We were in Springfield at the time of the funeral obsequies of 
President Lincoln. At the capitol we saw his remains in state on the day of the 
funeral ceremonies ; the St. Nicholas Hotel had a flag draped in every window. 
In Springfield we met with some choice spirits, among them Hon. Sharon Tyn- 
dale, the Secretary of State and Hon. A. H. Worthen, State Geologist. These 
gentlemen were frequent visitors to Doctor N. while we were there, and 
brought their families and friends to the Doctor's rooms. We had, as usual, a 
large number of visitors, and our success was good. Aside from the sad duties 
of the funeral obsequies to the greatest man of the age, we had a very pleasant 
stay in Springfield, but having made arrangements for a visit to Toledo, Ohio, 
we were obliged to depart rather abruptly and with regret. 

Arriving in Toledo early in May, we arranged for quarters at the Oliver 
House. We had two large parlors, handsomely furnished, connected by folding 
doors, and a third room across the hall, where laborers and others less cleanly 
were treated. Here we had great crowds of visitors, and some of the most 
wonderful cures ever witnessed since the days of the apostles. One of them I 
will try to relate as witnessed by myself, and the full statement of the case was 
given me by the patient herself. I will relate her story first. 

Her name was Margaret Fuller. She was born in Berea, a town adjoining or 
near by Norwalk, Ohio. At the age of fourteen she fell from a horse by the 
breaking of a girth, when riding through a slough, and in her fall had her spine 
injured so that her lower limbs became totally paralyzed. In this condition she 
succeeded in getting education sufficient to teach a country school. Her brothers 
built a sort of "go-cart," in which they used to draw her back and forth from 
school. She finally married Mr. Fuller, and went to live at Tontogany, Wood 



296 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

Co., about thirty miles south of Toledo. She had eight children; two of these 
children were in the northern army ; both were lieutenants. Not one of those 
eight children ever saw her stand on her feet or walk a step in their lives. 

In this condition she was brought to Dr. Newton, sitting on the hands of two 
men. I passed them into the Doctor's room at once, and in less than ten min- 
utes she came walking into my room with the hand of one gentleman in her left 
hand. Thus she came and returned, saying, " How strange this seems ! " The 
Doctor's door being ajar, I heard him say in answer to her inquiry, " Will this last ? 
O, will it last ? " " You now go and have a nice steak broiled, and eat a good 
hearty meal, and fear nothing." This was the last I saw of her till after we had 
dined. When she then came in, she was ready to dance. Then it was that she 
told me her story, which I have related. Some of her party had returned to 
Tontogany, but she was bent upon going to Norwalk, instead of staying at the 
Oliver House ; so she started for the cars in the afternoon of that day, and in- 
sisted upon walking to the depot, one-third of a mile distant, which she did. 
She met some acquaintances in Norwalk, and they could not recognize her. 

" Why, you look like Margaret Fuller, but she can't walk ! " 

" Well, I am Margaret Fuller." 

" What in the world does it mean ? " 

" I've been to see Dr. Newton, in Toledo, and he has cured me." 

The rush of invalids to the pool of Bethesda could not compare with the rush 
of cripples and invalids from the neighborhood of Norwalk ; six extra cars ' had 
to be added to the morning train to accommodate those wishing to visit the 
" great healer," — some out of curiosity, perhaps — but it was truly wonderful.* 

Notwithstanding all these evidences, there were those who cried " Humbug! " 
and threatened to mob us. One glorious spirit, a noble, broad-shouldered man, 
told them which side they would find him and his friends on. This was Henry 
Breed. A nobler man than Mr. Breed is not easily found. The evil spirits were 
frightened. . They dare not try it. This was the cloven-foot of Old Allopathy. 
Othello's occupation was leaving. 

We had many more splendid cases, but space forbids relating them here. 
Here we completed our labors for the spring, and started for home early in June, 
for a summer vacation. 

The next move we made, early in the fall or last of summer, was to Portland, 
Maine. We found quarters for business in " Casco Hall," near the U. S. Hotel, 
Dr. N. stopping at the Preble House. 

We met many warm friends in Portland, and there was a large attendance 
at the Doctor's morning lectures, which always took place before the work of 
healing began. We had many interesting cases. The most wonderful were 
instantaneous cures, like that of a lad brought by Dr. Stone. This was of a 
most singular character. A boy, some fifteen or sixteen years of age, whom Dr. 
Stone had known from childhood, had both his feet turned in till his toes pointed 
nearly toward each other,, presenting in his walk a great deformity, having to lift 
one foot over the other. He was not what is called " club footed," for his feet 

* A notice of this remarkable case will be found in a paragraph from the Toledo Record, in 
Chapter X., page 133. 



REMINISCENCES OF DR. NEWTON. 297 

and toes were regular in shape. Said Dr. Stone, " Can you do anything for this 
lad > " " Yes," replied Dr. N. " come here, my lad." Dr. N. then placed his 
arm over the boy's shoulder, with his hand under the lad's opposite arm, and, 
placing his feet as nearly like the boy's as he could, said to him, " Now you do 
just as I do. Squat down — down — down — down further " (bearing quite heavily 
on the lad's shoulder at the same time). " Now turn out your toes ! " Dr. N. 
at the same moment turning out his toes. And, wonderful to relate, out went 
the lad's toes, but rather too far for a graceful walker. The lad lost his sham- 
bling gait, and afterward visited Dr. N. several times during our stay in Portland, 
erect and of handsome address as any lad. 

We were under great obligations to many friends while in Portland. 

We remained there several weeks, when Dr. N. concluded to make a visit to 
Columbus, Ohio, and thus close up the season which had thus far been the most 
interesting of any that we had passed together. 

We started for Columbus early in October ; took rooms and board at the Neil 
House. We found many warm friends in Columbus. Of those I recollect I will 
name W. M. Savage, jeweller; J. R. Armstrong, of the State Jonr?ial ; John 
Fowler, M.D. ; Nathan Upton, an old hero ; Mr. Walker, photographist ; and 
several other prominent gentlemen. From these we received many acts of 
sympathy and consideration, and hold them and many others in grateful remem- 
brance. 

The longer I remained with Dr. Newton, the more brightly shone his great 
benevolence of character. Many were the days that, when evening came, he 
had given away in charity more than I had taken. I now recollect one day in 
particular, when we were in Rochester, N. Y. The day had been unpleasant 
and wet. An old colored man came hobbling in on crutches, all drawn out of 
shape by rheumatism, all the joints of his fingers anchylosed. The Doctor said 
to him ! 

" Well, my old friend, you are in a sad state." 

" Yes, Massa." 

" I can't do much for you, but here is ten dollars, and God bless you ! " 

With tears streaming down his wrinkled face the old man hobbled away on 
his crutch and cane. When evening came, I went to the Doctor's room. 

" Well, Mr. Hill, how much to-day ? " 

" Sixty-five dollars," was my reply. 

" Well," said Dr. N., " I guess I'm in debt then. Let me see," and calling 
over the cases of charity, the old colored man with the rest, he found that he 
had paid out seventy dollars that day — five dollars more than I had received. 
Said I, " You will not get rich very fast at that rate." " Never mind ; ' cast your 
bread upon the waters,' " was his reply. I never heard him refer to the subject 
afterward. 

I cannot recall the name of the Mississippi pilot who came to the Neil House, 
blind as a mole, led by a gentleman, and after treatment, Dr. N. said to him, 
" Before you reach the depot, you will see to read the signs across the street." 
This was verified, and Dr. N. received a letter written by the patient saying that 
he could see nearly as well as ever, and believed he would soon be able to return 



298 the modern bethesda. 

to duty. I think his home was in Indiana. This was near the close of our 
engagement in Columbus. We bade our friends farewell, and returned home 
the latter part of November. 

Early in May, 1866, we opened at No. 6 St. Mark's Place, New York city, 
Dr. N. hiring the whole house furnished. We needed not much advertising by 
newspapers. We had more than we could well take care of. The broad steps 
in front of the house would commence filling by early sunrise, three hours before 
patients could be attended to, and by eight o'clock, the sidewalk would be 
blocked up, so that two policemen had much difficulty in keeping it open for people 
to pass through. Although on the front of the house was a placard that the house 
would not be open till nine o'clock, we had to keep the iron gate of the area 
fastened to keep the crowd from breaking into the basement. A policeman and a 
detective were employed at an expense of ten or fifteen dollars per day. The back 
yard was large, and to fill that, we would pass them through the main hall, about 
two hundred at a time, and then pass them out by the rear area and basement 
hall. Dr. N., standing under the back piazza, had only time to touch the patient 
and say, " God bless you ! pass along ; " or, if the case needed further attention, 
Dr. N. would make a special appointment out of regular hours. When all this 
crowd had passed through the two halls of the house, the doors were closed, and 
the police ordered the crowd to disperse. Then Dr. N., wet through with per- 
spiration, retired to his private room ; and by the time he had changed his gar- 
ments, and refreshed himself by bath or otherwise, the two large parlors would 
be filled with people genteelly dressed, waiting the sound of the Doctor's bell, 
when they were sent up stairs to his private room to see what could be done for 
them. 

This same routine was followed day by day till late in the fall, without de- 
crease in numbers, but the reverse. To me it was most wonderful how Dr. N. 
could stand such a strain upon his nervous and physical system. 

Horace Greeley was a frequent visitor to Dr. N., and many others of equal 
note and position. Richard B. Connolly could tell whether he received the value 
of the $50 he paid for saving his eyes, if not his life. This was when Mr. Con- 
nolly lived in East 37th street, in the brown-stone front house. This was years 
before the gigantic thievery of the Tweed ring, in which Mr. Connolly was after- 
ward implicated. 

Gen. Fremont was a visitor, and made arrangements for Dr. N. to go to 
Tarrytown. Mr. Gerritt Smith and lady called ; also Mr. Smith, the razor-strop 
man, and wife. 

I knew but little about ungoverned crowds, till I saw them here; but the 
police knew how to manage them. They seldom had to use the locust ; a small 
cane seemed to give sufficient point to their admonitions. We had numerous 
good cases, worked hard, took comfort, and finally closed early in November, 
after a six-months' session. The only rest we had was about two weeks vacation 
in September. Before I parted with Dr. N., we made arrangements for 1867, 
agreeing upon Boston as the next point ; and thus we bid farewell to New York 
and all her wealth and comfort, and returned to our several homes. 

In April, 1867, we met in Boston,, but before entering, upon our summer 



REMINISCENCES OF DR. NEWTON. 299 

labors, Dr. N. accepted an urgent invitation to make a short visit to Salem. After 
a stay of a few weeks, we went to Boston, No. 20 Boylston Street. Here we 
found numerous friends that nocked to greet the Doctor on every hand. Almost 
every evening was passed in private houses, at lectures, or at our own rooms, 
when large numbers would gather. 

Boston, with the numerous railroads centering there, is a glorious location 
for New England people to gather. We had large crowds daily, and many in- 
teresting and marvellous cures. I will relate one case that seems freshest in my 
memory — that of Miss Amanda M. Hubbard, of Winthrop street, Roxbury, Mass. 
This young lady was sixteen or eighteen years of age. She had been bedridden 
for several years, unable to even sit up in a chair, when removed from her bed ; 
could not bear to be raised to a sitting posture. Dr. N. visited her at her father's 
house, and in half an hour she was perfectly cured. The next day she was able 
to ride in a buggy with her father to our rooms in Boylston Street. In a few days 
she was able to walk a mile without assistance. She called on the Doctor fre- 
quently while we were in Boston, not for treatment, but out of gratitude ; and 
often I heard her relate her marvellous case to other ladies that were waiting for 
treatment. She was able to resume her studies, and I believe she finally gradu- 
ated in one of Boston's famous schools, and has since married. 

Another case similar to the foregoing, was that of a lady from Brewster, Mass. 
Her name has escaped me, but the novelty of the case was such that I cannot for- 
bear giving the most singular portion of it. She was deemed too sick to be 
removed from the cars ; so the gentleman arranged with Dr. N. to visit her in 
the cars, and treat her there. Shortly Dr. N. had the lady walking through the 
car, and when the train returned, the lady returned home. Disease, spinal com- 
plaint. 

Edwin Forrest was a patient of Dr. Newton while we were in Boston, and 
many others of equal note. Dr. N. visited many persons in and out of the city, 
who were unable to visit him, in the evenings, after business hours, and generally 
with marked success. 

This campaign, at Salem and Boston, lasted about six months, with great 
results, both as to numbers and success in cures. 

At Boston we parted for the season, not knowiug what would happen the 
following year ; but it finally resulted in Dr. Newton's visiting Montreal and 
Detroit alone. I engaged in other pursuits, and so our connection ended. 

Thus passed five years of my declining days. And in closing this imperfect 
though truthful narrative, I cannot omit giving my impressions of what I had 
witnessed, especially of Doctor Newton personally, the great central attraction 
of the incidents I have related. 

To me Dr. Newton was more than generous. He was not only generous and 
charitable, but noble in character, just in all his dealings. I could not help 
loving him for what he was. Though my junior in years, he was like an elder 
brother or father. 

From his lips I never heard a profane or obscene word or expression, and 
nothing seemed to offend him more than to have such used in his presence. He 
is a man of powerful physique and strong passions, and did he hear the word 



300 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

" humbug " used as applied to him, the fire of that dark hazel eye and a simple 
admonition were sufficient to make the stoutest and most hardened quail, and 
humbly apologize, or quickly leave his presence. Though benevolence was his 
most prominent characteristic, yet cheerfulness was a marked trait also. When 
not busy with patients he would often be heard humming : — 

" ' Come, come, bonnie lassie,' cried Sandj r , 'awa, 
While mither is spinning and father's afar ? 

Or perhaps the land of the Shamrock would find him a worshipper at ner 
feet, with — 

" No longer the joy of the sailor boy's breast, 
Was heard in his wildly breath'd numbers." 

He was a man of regular habits, always retiring by ten o'cIock, unless engaged 
in visiting the sick, or perhaps amused with a game of dominoes. I never saw him 
touch a card or cue, and he seldom took any stimulant, but more frequently the 
bath was his restorative. His physical and nervous system would stand a harder 
strain than any person I ever met, and yet he would appear the next morning as 
bright as the lark. If at all ailing, he would ask me to lend him of my magnet- 
ism, when I would sit down by him, with my hand on his head, or his hands in 
mine, and in a few minutes would be as fresh as ever. 

One great peculiarity of Doctor Newton was cleanliness and neatness. When 
we occupied nice quarters, with expensive carpets, furniture and finely finished 
walls, he would in the summer cover the carpets with rush matting, or, if the 
weather was cool, with drugget ; the walls he would cover with wide cotton cloth 
to prevent the paper from getting soiled, or the plastering from getting broken 
during his occupancy. And he usually paid a higher price for the rooms we 
occupied than was paid by the tenant for the whole house. This usually proved 
a godsend to the tenant, especially if it happened to be a widow struggling 
along with a few boarders, as was sometimes the case; and I am confident that 
we left with the regret of the party of whom Dr. N. hired the premises. The 
carpets and wall-covering were generally left behind as a present to the land- 
lady, for which he received many expressed thanks. 

As to Dr. Newton's power in healing, it always was to me an unfathomed 
mystery. Every day brought something new and strange — as strange to me as 
it could be to the patient. Yet the effect seemed to be expected by the Doctor. 
When questioned by men of skeptical character, he would reply, " What says the 
Great Teacher ? ' Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that lives as I live, the works 
that I do shall he do also, and greater works.' What ! greater works than the 
Great Master ? Did not He raise the dead ? How are his followers to do 
greater things than He did ? Yes ! we may, if we, live as Jesus lived." This 
would always silence the bigot, but the liberal soul would see the point and 
strength of the argument. The fool and the bigot may sneer, but they cannot 
answer. You will seldom find a New Testament that showed greater marks of 
study, from Matthew to Revelation, than the copy used by Dr. Newton. 



REMINISCENCES OF DR. NEWTON. 3OI 

Should I live to copy what I have written, I will send it to Doctor Newton ; 
but as he is averse to long letters, perhaps he will throw this aside unread. 

May my good friend live to a good old age and continue to dispense his 
healing power, till after I have visited spirit-land ; and may I return to strengthen 
and bless him the most esteemed friend I have on earth, and the great blessing 
of his age and generation. 

AUSTIN A. HILL. 
West Haven, Conn. ) 
1875. > 



302 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

RAISING THE DEAD, ETC. 

Extravagant Demands. — Difficulty of Proving Actual Death. — Cases of Suspended Ani- 
mation somewhat Frequent. — Conclusive Proof of Actual Death necessary before we 
can credit a Resurrection. — Such Proof wanting in New Testament Cases. — Jairus' 
Daughter "Not Dead but Sleeping." — The Widow's Son probably the Same. — 
Lazarus ditto. — No Proof to the Contrary. — Cases of Dorcas and Eutychus. — No 
Similar Case brought to Dr. Newton. — Partial Paralysis of a Like Nature. — A Vague 
Claim. — Jesus' Healing Depended on Conditions. — Easy Assumptions. — Difficult 
Proofs. — Ancient Marvels should be judged by Modern Facts. 

When Dr. Newton has affirmed that he healed the sick by 
the same power that was exercised by Jesus of Nazareth, he 
has often been met by the demand, "Can you raise the dead? 
Do you heal all manner of diseases, as Jesus did ? " And since no 
such extravagant claims are made by the modern healer, some 
insist upon regarding him as a " pretender," an " impostor," and 
even a " blasphemer." It is improbable that few who make this de- 
mand have ever critically examined the New Testament accounts 
of " raising the dead," or have considered what would be regarded 
as conclusive of such a " miracle " in our day. A few thoughts 
on that subject may, therefore, not be amiss in these closing pages. 

First, let us ask what would be accepted as satisfactory proof 
of raising a dead person to life in these days ? Evidently, there 
must first be produced conclusive proof of death — that is, of the 
actual and total separation of the spirit from the body. But in 
view of the somewhat frequent occurrence of cases of suspended 
animation, death-like trance, or apparent death, continuing for 
hours, and in some instances for days, this proof is not always easy 
to obtain. 

Cases are not very rare in which seeming corpses, prepared for 
burial, have been reanimated, just in time, perhaps, to avoid burial 



RAISING THE DEAD, ETC. 303 

alive ; # and now and then we have the harrowing story of a coffin 
opened for some purpose, after weeks or months of entombment, 
to find appalling evidence of a premature inhumation. Oriental 
magicians are said to acquire the power of voluntarily simulating 
death, so that they may be securely buried for days and even a 
month, resuming the functions of life on being exhumed at the 
stipulated time. 

In view of such facts, it is clearly not an easy matter to be ab- 
solutely sure that a person is actually dead who appears so to ordi- 
nary observers ; and probably many more premature burials take 
place than most people dream of. Surely, were the claim made 
that Dr. Newton or any other person at the present day had per- 
formed the " notable miracle " of bringing a dead body to life, we 
should demand evidence of actual death no less reliable, certainly, 
than the certificate of a medical expert who had thoroughly exam- 
ined the case. Ought we, as rational beings, to be satisfied with 
any less conclusive proof in regard to a case alleged to have hap- 
pened eighteen hundred years ago ? But have we any such 
evidence in any of the cases reported in the New Testament ? No 
one will pretend it. On the contrary, the narratives themselves 
give us, in one case positive, and in the others probable, evidence that 
actual death had not taken place. 

The cases on record in that book are five — namely, that of 
Jairus' daughter (Matt, ix., Mark v., Luke viii.), the widow's son 
at Nain (Luke vii.), Lazarus (John xi.), Dorcas (Acts ix.), and 
Eutychus (Acts xx.). 

In the first case, the only thing like a physician's certificate that 
we have is the testimony of Jesus. He positively declared, on 
reaching the house, " the maid is not dead, but sleepeth " (i. e., is in 
a trance). The people, probably unaccustomed to the phenomenon 

* While preparing these pages, a paragraph in the newspapers states, in effect, that in Cincin- 
nati, recently, a corpse, prepared for burial, with which two young men were watching at night, 
suddenly arose and sat up in the coffin, and looking about said, " I feel very queer ! " Whereat 
the young men were so frightened that they " leaped through an open window and took to their 
heels." 

A still later case is the following, under date of Nov. 30, 1875 : — 

" At the conclusion of funeral services over the body of a child aged four years, at Saxem, 
Mass., yesterday afternoon, the supposed corpse opened and immediately closed its eyes, just as 
the coffin was closed for the last time. The child had apparently died last Friday. The funeral 
immediately came to a close." 



304 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

of suspended animation, were so sure he was mistaken that they 
" laughed him to scorn." He doubtless perceived clairvoyantly 
what they could not see, namely, that her death was only seeming, 
not actual, and he acted accordingly. He "took her by the 
hand and said " (addressing her as if actually present in the body 
— not separated from it), " Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. And 
straightway she arose, and walked." It is safe to presume that 
Jesus knew better than did the ignorant people what was the fact 
in this case. 

In the instance of the widow's son, Jesus' opinion is not given 
in words, only in his acts. The account states that the young man 
" was dead ; " but Jesus acted as if it was only a case of trance. 
He " touched the bier," perhaps to impart a vital-electric shock, 
by which to break the spell. Then he said (addressing the young 
man as if there present in the body, and not departed to another 
world), " Young man, I say unto thee, arise. And he that was 
dead sat up and began to speak." There is no satisfactory proof 
that here was anything more than seemi?ig death, which the people, 
and the narrator no doubt, supposed was real. 

As to the case of Lazarus, the account is somewhat confused 
and inconsistent with itself — at least, would be so considered if 
found in any other book but the Bible. It is stated that at first, 
when Jesus was informed of Lazarus' sickness, he said, " This 
sickness is not unto death." After that he said to his disciples, 
" Our friend, Lazarus, sleepeth : but I go that I may awake him out 
of sleep." That he did not mean ordinary sleep here, is evident 
from the fact that it would be wholly unnecessary for him to under- 
take a long and dangerous journey, as he proposed, to wake a man 
from ordinary repose. Here again he doubtless perceived clair- 
voyantly that it was a case of death-like trance or suspended ani- 
mation. But his disciples, not understanding it, thought he meant 
common sleep. To correct their mistake, we are told, he after- 
wards " said unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead." As this does 
not comport with his previous statement that his sickness was " not 
unto death," it seems probable that his exact words or meaning 
may not have been apprehended by the narrator. It would appear 
more likely that he meant to give the disciples to understand that 
it was not a case of ordinary sleep, yet was a ki?id of sleep which 



RAISING THE DEAD, ETC. 305 

would result in death if he did not go to awaken the sleeper. And 
when he came to Bethany, and found that Lazarus had lain in the 
grave four days already, so that the family thought decomposition 
had commenced (as probably it would have done, had the spirit 
really withdrawn), he did not proceed to summon the departed 
spirit back from the world of souls. He did not say, " Lazarus, 
come back into your lifeless body ! " But, standing by the opened 
cave in which the body had been deposited, he " cried with a loud 
voice, Lazarus, come forth ! " He addressed his friend as in the 
cave, and in the body — not outside somewhere, as a disembodied 
spirit would have been. And he spoke with a loud voice, so that 
the shock might arouse the paralyzed nervous system, and thus 
enable the imprisoned man to regain control of it — just as healers 
now-a-days often find it necessary to shout in the most positive 
tones in the ears of partial paralytics, in order to startle the nerve- 
currents into action. " And he that was (apparently) dead came 
forth, bound hand and foot," etc. 

Here, again, we submit that, in view of the cases of burial during 
suspended animation which have occurred in modern times, there 
is no conclusive proof that the spirit of Lazarus had fully quit the 
bod)' - , but there is probable evidence in the narrative itself of the 
contrary.* 

In the remaining instances of Dorcas and Eutychus, similar 
evidences crop out. Peter, taking Dorcas, or Tabitha, by the hand, 
said, " Tabitha, arise," addressing her as Jesus had done in the 
preceding cases, as being there present in the seemingly dead body ; 
while Paul, after embracing the young man, Eutychus, supposed to 
have been killed by falling out of a window, said distinctly, 
" Trouble not yourselves ; for his life is in him" — that is, he is not 
dead, as you suppose. 

In such cases of apparent death, or complete paralysis, re- 
animation may no doubt be effected by various means — as by the 
electric touch of a powerful healer, or the shock of a loud voice 
appealing to the mind, or perhaps the puncture of a nerve in a par- 

* We might ask, if it be a fact that Lazarus and the others were raised from actual death, what 
becomes of the doctrine so often insisted upon, and plainly taught by Paul, that Jesus himself was 
the first to be raised—" the first-fruits of them that slept ? " He would have been the fourth, in- 
stead of the first— not reckoning Old Testament cases. We leave this for sticklers for verbal 
accuracy to settle for themselves. 

20 



306 the modern bethesda. 

ticular part — and it sometimes appears to take place in the natural 
course of things, without the use of any means, as in those supposed 
corpses which awake and startle their attendants, and those, too, 
who awake only to be suffocated in their coffins. * 

Now, there is no instance on record, in the foregoing pages, in 
which a person supposed to be dead but actually in this peculiar 
trance, has been brought under the hands of Dr. Newton — though 
there have been some very near approaches to death, as the reader 
will have noticed. Had such cases been presented, no good 
reason appears why the result should not have been the same as 
stated in these New Testament examples. At all events, the proof 
is ample that Dr. N. has restored many partial paralytics to the full 
use and control of their bodies ; and the form of trance under con- 
sideration seems to be only a total paralysis or loss of control of 
the entire nervous and muscular systems for the time. 

As to the claim that Jesus healed " all manner of diseases," 
whereas modern healers fail in many cases that are brought to 
them, it must be admitted by those who urge it that the claim is 
a somewhat vague one. To make it of any force in the argument 
in hand, we need to know that precisely the same types of disease, 
under exactly the same conditions in all respects, which readily 
yielded to the power of Jesus, resist the curative force of modern 
healers. This knowledge, owing to the lack of any competent and 
critical diagnosis in New Testament cases, we can never have ; 
and hence it is useless to indulge in any assumptions in the 
matter. 

That the healing power of Jesus was dependent on conditions, 
and conditions of precisely the same nature as are found requisite 
now, is evident from the statement that he " could do no mighty 
works " in one locality, " because of the unbelief " of the people. 
(Mark vi.) And that the power exercised by his disciples was not 
an irresistible and measureless divine energy poured through them, 
as some imagine, but was dependent on their own physical and 

* The writer remembers reading, many years ago — he cannot now recall the authority — the 
narrative of a gentleman who claimed to have been entombed alive, in this state of complete 
paralysis, mistaken for death. He was yet able to hear all that was going on about him. After 
hours of helpless, hopeless agcny, he was exhumed by some medical students who had doomed 
him to a still more horrible fate on the dissecting table. The first puncture of the dissecting 
knife, however, broke the spell, and he was rescued. This may have been a fancy sketch, but 
there seems nothing improbable in it. 



RAISING THE DEAD, ETC. ^> C 7 

spiritual states, is also clear from the instructions given them in a 
case of humiliating failure. " This kind," said Jesus, " goeth not 
out but by prayer and fasting" (Matt. xvii. 21) — precisely the means 
found conducive, by modern healers, under certain circumstances, 
to the increase of spiritual power. Being thus amenable to the 
same laws and conditions, the rational conclusion is that the power 
was essentially the same. 

It is easy to imagine that ancient cures and other wonderful 
works were performed in a certain manner, and were characterized 
by certain features, which we fail to see in the modern ; but to 
present any valid evidence of such difference is not so easy. It is 
possible that our educationally-derived conceptions of these matters 
are mistaken. It is easy to give credence to what has been taught 
us from childhood, however improbable, even though we may have 
accustomed ourselves to question modern marvels with a sturdy 
incredulity. It would seem far more rational, then, instead of 
setting up our possibly erroneous conceptions of ancient miracles 
as a standard by which to measure and judge of all modern works 
and workers, that we should reverse the process, and judge of the 
remote and doubtful by the recent and well-attested. 

We may safely believe that whatever occurs in our own time, 
however wonderful, may also have occurred eighteen hundred or 
four thousand years ago ; and hence that the marvellous narratives 
contained in the Bible are substantially true so far as they are 
paralleled by the events taking place at the present day. If to any 
extent those ancient narratives go beyond all modern experience, 
and relate what seems improbable in itself, then it is a fair question 
whether the narrators, conceding their honesty, did not to some 
extent misconceive the facts they attempted to state. 

The proper thing to do, therefore, would seem to be, instead of 
assuming the utterly exceptional character of Bible marvels, to 
carefully and candidly acquaint ourselves with occurrences of a 
similar nature taking place at the present day, and thus acquire a 
solid basis of knowledge on which to build a rational faith in the 
wonders of the past and the possibilities of the future. That can- 
not be a healthy mental habit, which readily accepts an ancient 
" miracle," however marvellous, and yet stubbornly refuses credence 
to modern occurrences of a like nature. 

" Prove all things, and hold fast that which is good." 



308 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 



CHAPTER XXII. 

FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE, AS CURATIVE AGENCIES. — WHY SOME ARE 

NOT HEALED. 

Faith has a Therapeutic Value. — Recognized by Medical Men. — Testimony of Dr. Brown- 
Sequard. — Analysis of Faith. — Dynamics of Expectation. — Opens the Door to Influx 
of Curative Energy. — Prayer aids the Process. — Transfusion of Blood and of Vital 
Forces. — Hope Attendant upon Faith. — Unbelief Closes the Door. — Easy Believers 
easily Healed. — Doubters Healed with Difficulty. — Skepticism has its Disadvantages. 
— Explanation of Positive Assurances of Cure. — Some Patients seemingly incapable 
of Faith. — A Misfortune more than a Fault. — Charity and Justice. — Adaptation of 
Atmospheres. — Love, or Good- Will indispensable in the Healer. — The Healing Force 
is Essential Love. — The Curative Gift may become a Science and an Art. — A For- 
ward Step in Human Progress. 

Despite the sneers of skeptics, and the cavils of superficial 
votaries of " medical science," it is becoming evident that faith 
has a therapeutic value of the highest importance. It would seem 
that Jesus uttered no arbitrary dictum of a wild enthusiast when he 
said to applicants for healing, " According to your faith be it unto 
you," and " Thy faith had made thee whole." Nor was it merely 
a burst of extravagance when he said to the father of a' young suf- 
ferer, " If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that 
believeth," — doubtless meaning all possible things. Neither is there 
fanaticism or quackery in the requirement of faith by the modern 
healer. The most competent and successful medical practitioners 
of all schools, in our day, are coming to acknowledge the virtues 
of faith. Says Dr. Brown-Sequard, than whom no scientific author- 
ity of higher repute in nervous diseases can be quoted, "If we 
physicians, who treat patients every day, had the power to make 
them believe that they are to be cured, especially if we could name 
a time for it, it would be a great element in success. I have suc- 
ceeded sometimes, and I can say that I succeed more than for- 



FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE, AS CURATIVE AGENCIES. 3O9 

merly, because I have myself the faith that I can in giving faith 
obtain a cure." 

There is no mysticism nor charlatanry in this, as we may see 
by a simple analysis of that mental state designated by the word 
faith. 

An old definition reads, " faith is the substance of things hoped 
for, and the evidence of things not seen," or, as the Union 
translation puts it more clearly, " faith is the assurance of 
things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." One ele- 
ment in faith is expectation. It is a law of psychical dynamics 
that confident expectation tends to induce the 7'esult expected. Expecta- 
tion of good is called hope. Every intelligent physician — yes, every 
intelligent person — knows the value of hopeful confidence as a 
therapeutic agent. Hopelessness, despair, in a patient, is the worst 
feature in any case. Hence the first and often chief effort of a 
skilful practitioner, in a doubtful case, is to arouse in the despond- 
ing patient the hope and belief that he can and will recover — even 
though the physician himself may have little expectation of such a 
result. In many causes, as every experienced medical man 
knows, this hopeful expectation is all that is needed to effect a cure 
— though the patient may require to be amused meantime with some 
harmless prescription, which may as well be bread-pills or dainty 
sugar-pellets as anything else. It is commonly said that such cures 
are wrought by imagination, but probably expectatio?i or faith is the 
more proper term. Imagination implies a conception of something 
unreal, while/tfz//z lays hold of that which is real, though unseen. 

The truth of the matter doubtless is, that faith, or confident, 
cheerful expectation, not only invites the free action of that i7iterior 
recuperative force (learnedly called the vis medicatrix natures) which 
resides in every organic being, and without which no medicine has 
any healing value, but it also opens the door to the influx of vital 
curative energy from without — that is, from either a visible human 
healer, or from invisible but potent healing agencies which sur- 
round us on every hand. Earnest prayer, no doubt, aids this pro- 
cess, inasmuch as it implies and produces openness or receptivity 
of spirit. Through this opened channel, the positive will or energy 
of the healer (visible or invisible) is admitted in some real sense 
into the interior organism of the sufferer (as explained in the re- 



3IO THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

markable spirit-message given in Chapter III.), and is thus able to 
break the power of disease and to impart a vital potency which, 
quickly or gradually, restores the healthful action of the vital 
forces. 

The invigorating effect of the transfusion of blood from a 
healthy person, or even a vigorous animal, to an invalid, under cer- 
tain conditions, is now universally recognized, and it is occasionally 
practiced with good results. But the virtue of blood thus trans- 
fused evidently consists in the life-forces of which blood is the 
vehicle. If now these same subtle life-forces, or spiritual energies, 
can be imparted by the action of the will, through laying on of the 
hands or other means, and received hy faith, the same result is 
gained, in, to say the least, a far less troublesome manner. That 
such transfusion of force does take place, in thousands of instances, 
the facts seem to prove. 

This furnishes at least a comprehensible and rational philosophy 
of the action of faith, in so far as it is pre-requisite of healing. 
Hope, or pleasing expectation, is so intimately connected with 
faith, that it is its almost inseparable attendant. Faith is not re- 
quired of children, for the reason that they are usually so impres- 
sible and receptive that they can be reached directly, or through 
the faith of their parents or others interested in them. 

If this be the true philosophy, it explains why many fail to ob- 
tain the blessing of healing now, as in ancient times, through 
unbelief, or want of faith. The faithless, prayerless, hopeless, 
doubting, or positively disbelieving patient fails to open the door 
into his mental or spiritual organism, through which alone the 
healing energy can enter. Accordingly, so far as the observation 
and experience of the writer have extended, with Dr. Newton and 
other healers, it is the more impressible, confiding, hopeful, easily 
convinced, readily susceptible in both mind and body, and the 
spiritually inclined, who are most sure to receive instantaneous or 
" miraculous " healing ; while the naturally positive, doubting, 
skeptical, materialistic, are the most difficult to affect, and the most 
likely to fail of realizing benefit. 

No doubt the observation of this fact has led many to pronounce 
all such alleged healing a matter of credulity and imagination. 
But if it be so, then, obviously, credulity and imagination are great 



FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE AS CURATIVE AGENCIES. 3 1 I 

blessings to humanity, and their cultivation on the part of hard- 
headed skeptics will be of vast advantage to themselves in case 
disease and suffering shall seize upon them ! 

Seriously, it is apparent that the quality of ready susceptibility, 
or easy confidence, has its advantages as well as its disadvantages ; 
also, that the tendency to stubborn incredulity has its disadvan- 
tages as well as its advantages. A happy medium between the two 
would seem most desirable. And this may doubtless be cultivated 
by appropriate means. 

The philosophy of faith which we have presented also explains 
why Dr. Newton and other healers are often impelled, by the power 
which operates through them, to assure their patients, in the most 
positive tone and manner, that they are, or speedily will be, cured — 
when the event sometimes proves the contrary. This practice has 
been the occasion of much complaint and criticism, it being held by 
many to be equivalent to giving a false assurance, or making a false 
prophecy. But the foregoing considerations make it plain that this 
positive assurance is but a means used — and probably an extreme 
means, to meet extreme cases — by which to arouse the weak faith 
and feeble expectation of the patient sufficiently that he may be 
penetrated by the curative force. It is but a part of the modus 
operandi of healing, and if it fails, it should be no more a cause 
of censure than is the failure of any other attempted remedy, em- 
ployed in good faith. 

It should be added that in all probability there are invalids who 
are incapable of exercising, on the instant, if at all, that faith which 
is requisite to their healing by the processes herein referred to. 
There are born skeptics, ingrained materialists, who seem unable 
to conceive of spiritual existences or forces — much more, to lay 
hold of " things not seen " as realities. Evidences which appeal 
with convincing power to other minds, have little or no weight with 
them, and subtle forces which powerfully affect other organisms, 
produce no sensible effect upon theirs. Mental and physical or- 
ganisms usually correspond. Where there is ready susceptibility 
of mind, there is likely to be sensitiveness of body also ; and where 
stubborn skepticism is a mental characteristic, unimpressibility of 
physical organism is found likewise. * And these conditions are 

* There seems to be some exceptions to this rule, where a fair degree of mental receptivity is 



312 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

not immediately under the control of the will ; they cannot be 
changed at pleasure, except it be by a more or less protracted 
course of self-discipline and culture, with earnest aspiration. Both 
faith and hope appear to be sometimes acquired as " gifts," the re- 
sult of earnest struggles of the spirit in prayer or aspiration. 

Being largely the result of ante-natal conditions and imperfect 
education, this incapacity, or infacility, of faith (together with un- 
impressibility of organism) is doubtless more a misfortune than a 
fault. Nevertheless, it constitutes a real inability — a serious ob- 
stacle, which, not through any caprice on the part of the healer, but 
in the nature of things, prevents or hinders the action of the healing 
force. While, therefore, on the one hand, it may be unreasonable 
to upbraid unimpressible patients for their unbelief, on the other it 
is plainly unjust that such patients should malign the healer for his 
failure to cure them. Other methods of treatment may be better 
adapted to their cases. 

Another reason for failures to cure may doubtless be found 
in the want of constitutional adaptation between the healer and the 
patient. That is, there exists a repulsion, instead of attraction or 
power of assimilation, in the subtle emanations which proceed from 
the two persons. Most persons are conscious, more or less, of agree- 
able or disagreeable sensations in the presence of others, and hence 
of a liking or disliking to be near them. These sensations are 
caused by the invisible aromal emanations which each gives off, and 
which differ with each individual from every other. If these are 
repellant between the healer and patient, the former can effect 
little or nothing, because the healing force he projects is thrown 
back and not absorbed. This is, no doubt, one cause of want of 
faith \ for a sufferer who is repelled from a healer is very unlikely 
to have any faith in his ability to cure. The best results can be 
expected only where all the powers of soul and body, voluntary 
and involuntary, confidingly reach forth and l'ay hold upon the 
sanitary virtue proffered by or through the healer. 

This adaptation can be ascertained, probably, only by trial, and 

conjoined with a rigid unsusceptibility of the physical organism to subtle agencies. The writer of 
this is an example. While firmly believing in unseen agencies and forces, the effects of which he 
has so often witnessed upon others, he is himself scarcely in the least susceptible to the healing 
power, to mesmeric or other subtle forces. Powerful shocks from an electric battery, which sen- 
sitive persons cannot endure, are but slightly perccp.ible to him. 



WHY SOME ARE NOT CURED. 313 

no patient should submit to the manipulations of one whose atmo- 
sphere is repugnant ; nor, in fact, should a sufferer ever be attended 
by such an one. A repugnant person imparts poison instead of 
health. Doubtless the more refined, spiritual, unselfish, broadly 
philanthropic and tenderly sympathetic a healer is, the wider the 
range of cases to which he is adapted ; and the stronger the trust 
of the patient, the more likely is his case to be reached. 

This brings to view another important consideration, repeatedly 
touched upon in preceding Chapters, but of sufficient moment to 
justify especial mention in these closing lines. It is this, that love, 
or abounding Good-Will, is an essential characteristic in the true 
healer.* No selfish person can succeed in that function. The 
generous, out-giving impulse to bless must be the predominant life- 
motor. In fact, it is probably not too much to assert that the 
genuine healing force itself, as to its inmost essence, is love — the 
creative, vivifying element of the universe — and this, be it spoken with 
all reverence, is but another name for God. " God is Love." So 
that Dr. Newton utters but a simple philosophic truth when he 
says that the power by \vhich he heals is " the power of God." And 
in so far as this Divine Presence — unselfish Love — dwells in any 
man or woman, may he or she become a true healer, and his or her 
dwelling be a real Bethesda for the sick and suffering. 

But this point has been so clearly presented by Dr. Newton 
himself in previous pages, and so elaborately discussed in the ad- 
dress of Mr. Burns, quoted in Chapter XVIII., as to render further 
elucidation needless. It may be well to note, however, the obvious 
deduction, that whenever this divine healing element flows through 
a channel affected by physical or moral impurity of any description, 
or narrowed by prejudices and antipathies, it is liable to be corre- 
spondingly tainted, limited, and emasculated of its highest potency. 
The real fountain may be pure, but the stream become turbid 
and void of healing virtue. The healer, therefore, who would do 
the works of Jesus of Nazareth, or greater works than he, must be 
equally a model of health, of purity, of overflowing good-will, and 
of every noble and manly quality. 

* It would be unnecessary, but for mistakes so often made in that direction, to say that the love 
here meant is a quite different thing from the sexual attraction or desire that is popularly desig- 
nated by the same word. The latter kind of love is essentially selfish in its action. 



314 THE MODERN BETHESDA. 

We have before noted the value of faith and hope as curative 
agencies. Now it is apparent that love (infelicitously translated 
" charity " in the New Testament, common version) is of vastly 
greater moment than either of these. So that we may quote an 
apostle's pregnant words with a new but not less truthful applica- 
tion — 

" And now remain faith, hope, love, these three ; and 
the greatest of these is love. 

" Pursue after love, and desire earnestly the spiritual 

GIFTS."* 



The foregoing observations, with the facts on which they are 
based, it is believed, will go far with thoughtful minds to lift this 
whole subject of healing by the laying on of hands — with the aux- 
iliaries of faith, prayer, and other means aside from ordinary medi- 
cation — out of the realm of mystery and "miracle," and to show 
that it is as really amenable to law and established conditions — con- 
ditions which may be studied, understood, and intelligently com- 
plied with — as is the application of any other of the constant forces of 
the universe. And this is doubtless as true of ancient as of modern 
healings. They were miraculous only in the sense of wonderful, 
as we naturally wonder at what is strange and not understood. In 
other words, the exercise of this curative "gift" maybe reduced 
to a science and an art, as reliable, to say the least, as is the medi- 
cal practice of any of the popular schools, and doubtless far more 
effective for good. 

The discover}'- and establishment of this important truth marks 
a forward step — we had almost said an era — of no small moment 
in human progress. And the experience and labors of the Healer 
whose career has been imperfectly sketched in this volume, have 
unquestionably contributed in a large degree to this grand result. 

* 1 Cor. xiii. 13 ; xiv. 1, Union translation. 



INDEX. 



Abbott, Mrs., cure of, 89 
Abbott, Stephen, cure of, 285 
Abscess cured, 176, 280, 282, 

292 
Acks, Mrs. Nancy T., 145 
Adams, Henry W., cure of, 128 
Adaptation necessary, 312 
Advance, Chicago, quoted, 25 
Ahem, Matthew, cure of, 87 
Aiden, Saint, a healer, 15 
Albree, Calvin, cure of, 88 
Allan, Amelia, cure of, 221 
Allen, David, affidavit of, 61 
Alms, Mrs. H-, cure of, 34 
Ambrose, St., quoted, 12 
Ames, Mrs. F. J., testimony of, 

2 74 
Andover, Eng., visit to, 246 
Andrews, Robert, cure of, 213 
Angels, ministry of, /17, 203-4, 

263. 
Anna, Mary, cure of, 86 
Apollonius, a healer, tgr 
Appleby, Mrs. Cornelia, 121 
Armstrong, James, 213, 242 
Armstrong, J. R., 297 
Ashley, Wm., cure of, 207, 215 
Ashman, Mr., healing by, 271 
Assassination of Lincoln, 2Q5 
Assault and battery charged, 57 
Asthma cured, 53, 70, 86, 87, 89, 

93, 99, 213, 276, 279, 284 
Atkins, Phebe, cure of, 49 
Atkinson, Lydia, affidavit of, 61 
Attree, Eliza dive, cure of, 227 
Auburn, N. Y., visit to, iox-6, 

294 
Auburn, Advertiser quoted, 101, 

Augustine, St., quoted, 12 
Australians practice healing, 192 
Averell, Nat'l S., cure of, 280 
Avery, Mrs. Dr., cure of, 122 
Ayers, James, case of, 241 
Ayers, Wm., cure of, 240 

Bailey, Mrs. Emma E., 98 
Baker, Edw. L., statement of, 

141 
Balch, Wm. C, testimony of, 

278 
Baltimore, healing in, 75 



Bamber, Mrs. Wm., affidavit of, 

5° 
Banner of Light quoted, 40, 101, 

105, 108, 136, 145, 146, 147, 
151, 156, 157, 167, J73, 175, 
178, 202, 272, 274, 275, 277, 
278, 2S2, 289 
Barber, Wm., cure of, 86 
Barnham, Martha L., 142 
Barnham, Ossian L., testimony 

of, 142 
Barnes, Mrs. Mary H., 108 
Barrett, Mrs. Eliza, cure of, 87 
Barrows, Mrs. Mary, cure of, 89 
Bartlett, Abby, cure of, 38 
Bartlett, Alanson, cure of, 276 
Bartlett, Wm. M,, statement of, 

130 
Bascomb, Francis C, 99 
Bassett, Mrs. R. M„ 78, 88 
Beach, James B., cure of, 88 
Beal, Lovitt, Mrs., cure of, 280 
Beauchamp, Mrs. Jane, 286 
Bedford, Wm., cure of, 245 
Benefit Societies, hint to, 228 
Bennett, Mercy, cure of, 86 
Belle Valley, Pa., case at, 288 
Bernard, St., a healer, 15 
Berry, Mrs. Augustus, 35 
Berwick, Henry, cure of, 286 
Bethesda, the Ancient, 3 
Bethesda, the New, 84, 119, 

155 
Binns, David, cure of, 245 
Biographical Sketch, 29 
Bird, Mr. and Mrs., 220-1 
Birmingham, Eng., visit to, 238 
Bishop of Dromore's testimony, 

19 
Bishop, Mrs. Ann, cure of, 100 

Blackburn, John, cure of, 233 

Blackburn, James, cure of, 245 

Blackmail, attempt to, 57 

Bladder, disease cf, cured, 2S5-6 

Blake, Earnest, cure of, 2S5 

Blake, Henry C., cure of, 286 

Blasphemy, 203, 278 

Blindness cured, 33, 35, 61, 63, 

86, 87, 89, 98, 99, 107, 108, 

no, 121, 122, 131, 136, 138, 

i5 2 ' *73, i75> i77i '79, 187, 

207, 213, 227, 225, 233, 241, 



245, 272, 273, 275, 279, 282, 

284, 285, 290, 297 
Blindness, congenital, cured, 89 
Bliss, Mrs. Elijah, cure of, 133 
Blossom, Mrs. Louisa, 34 
Bodkin, Sarah, cure of, 99 
Bogan, EHza, affidavit of. 67 
Borasso, Mrs., cure of, 48, 49 
Boston, healing in, 37, 76, 273, 

299 
Bosworth, Mrs. George, 90 
Bowman, Mrs. Emma P., 35 
Bragg, Mrs., cure of, 2S6 
Brain, softening of, 285 
Breakspeare, Mrs., child cured, 

214 
Breathing tube, use of, 97 
Breed, Henry, 296 
Brewer, M. D., cure of, 287 
Briant, Sarah J., affidavit of, 72 
Briggs, Amariah, cure of, 82 
Bright's disease, cured, 92, 93, 

284, 285 
Brimblecomb, John, cure of 

daughter, 177 
Broadhead, Wis., cure at, 143 
Bromwell, Mrs., 34 
Bronchitis cured, 221, 250 
Brooklyn, N. Y., cases at, 152-3 
Broomhead, Mary H., 245 
Brown, George, son of, 86 
Brown, Sarah E , cure of, 87 
Brown, Thomas, cure of, 35 
Brown, Mrs. R. A., cure of, 88 
Brown, Mrs. Wm., cure of, 279 
Browning, Margaret, 22S 
Browning, Mr., cure of, 2r5 
Brown, Sequard, Dr., quoted, 

308 
Bucklin, Helen L., 276 
Buffalo, N. Y., cures in, 132-3 
Bump, Mrs. Sarah, 143-4 
Bunker Hill, 111., healing at, 

148 
Bunson, Capt. John, 122 
Burnett, W. C, son cured, 286 
Burton, Mrs. Benj., 276 
Burton, C. U. C, cure of, 293 
Burrell, Alden, cure of, 276 
Burr, Mr., Ed. Hartford Times, 

293 
Burgen, Eliza, case of, 57 



3»6 



INDEX. 



Burke, Mrs., case of, 10S 
Burns, Rev. Dr. Jabez, 217, 

21S, 222, 268 
Burns Chapel, heaiing in, 220, 

226 
Burns, James, 234, 239, 244, 

246, 254, 264, 267 
Burress, Mrs. M. A., cure of, 26 
Burtis, Arthur, cure of, 99 
Bushnell, Rev. Dr., testimony 

of, 25 
Butterfield, Wm. P., 280 
Bryan, Elizabeth, cure of, S6 
Bryant, Dr. J. P., statement 

of, 47 

Cady, F. L., wife, &c, 87 
Calvert, Mrs., cure of, 126 
Campbell, Mrs., cure of, 115 
Canandaigua, N. Y., visit to, 294 
Cancer cured, 21, 38, 49, 63, S6. 

89, 110, 123, 145, 152, 179, 

187, 215, 276, 279, 280 
Cancerous humor cured, 49, 99 
Canfield, Mrs. F. A., cure of, 86 
Cape Ann Advertiser quoted, 177 
Capon, Thomas, cure of, 240 
Carroll, Mrs. A. R., son, 89 
Catarrh cured, 100, 121, 198, 279 
Catherine, St., a healer, 15 
Catholic priest healed, 106 
Cavanaugh, Capt. Daniel, Jr., 

cure of, 38 
Chace, Mrs. Judson, cure of, 176 
Chadwick, Mrs. Hannah. 144 
Chapin, Mrs. Julia S , cure of, 90 
Charity, cases of, 297 
Chatfield, Emma, cure of, 85 
Chelsea, Mrs., healing in, 178 
Cheeney, Wm. H., cure of, 99 
Cheney, Prof. S. P., testimony 

of, 150 
Cheney, Rev. W.A., cure of, 279 
Cheshire, J. C, testimony of, 249 
Chicago Advance, 25 
Chicago, healing in, 109-10, 294 
Chicken, applied, 38 
Child, Dr. H. T., testimony of, 

. 37 
Chills, congestive, cured, 121 
China, healing in, 190, 192 
Chipman, Mrs., cure of, 177 
Chorea, see St. Vitus Dance 
"Christ's First and Second Ap- 
pearing," testimony from, 
22-24 
Church, Catholic, healing in, 

13-16 
Church, English, healing in, 

18-19 
Church, Greek, healing in, 13 
Church, Methodist, healing in, 

21-22 
Church, Primitive, healing in, 

10-12 
Church, Prot. healing in, 16-26 
Church, Samuel, cure of 176 
Cincinnati, healing in, 33-6 
Cincinnati, visit to, 287 
Clapp, Sybil B., cure of, 90 
Claremont, N. H., cure of, 144 
Clarke, Abraham, affidavit of, 

*37 



Clark, Emma, cure of, 103, 105 
Clark, Harriet, cure of, 249 
Clark, Mrs. J. W., cure of, 89 
Claude Clement, a healer, 15 
Clergy, appeal to, 156-163 
Clergyman, Episcopal, talk with, 

2 7 S 

Cline, Beni., cure of, 2S0 
Clutterbuck, Chas., cure of, 213 
Coe, Mr. , cure cf, 22 r 
Coffee, Josephine, cure of, 279 
Cole, Sarah, cure of, 227 
Coleman, Benj.. 207, 214, 268 
Collins, Mary, child cured, 145 
Collins, Benj. R., cure of, 285 
Collins, Wm. T-, cure of, 2S5 
Columbanus, St., a healer, 15 
Columbo, St., a healer, 15 
Columbus, O., visit to, 297 
Columbus Journal quoted, 134 
Congestion of lungs cured, 274-5 
Comstock, E., statement of, 143 
ConantjMrs., discourse through, 

4? 
Condit, Daniel, affidavit of, 73 
Conditions of healing power, 192 
Connelly, Hon. R. B., 121 
Connet, Rev. A., daughter cured, 

25 
Connolly, R. B., 298 
Connor, Mrs. Y., cure of, 122 
Constantine, a healer, 191 
Consumption cured, 38, 62, 86, 

90, 99, 215, 276, 280, 285 
Contour, Mrs. C, cure of, 121 
Conway, Lady, case of, 18 
Conway, Michael, cure of, 122 
Cook, Anne, cure of, 160 
Cook, Emmett B., cure of, 98 
Cook, Henry B.. cure of, 87 
Cook, Mrs. Catherine, 49 
Cook, Mrs. Sarah P., cure of, 90 
Coombs, Mrs. C. B., cure of, 90 
Coombs, Emma, cure of, 33 
Coos, James, Mrs., cure of, 280 
Corker}-, John, affidavit of, 63 
Corson, E. A. S., affidavit of, 73 
Cosmas, the martyr, a healer, 

Cough cured, 38, 86, 121, 279, 

2S6 
Courier, New Haven, testimony 

of, 76, 77 
Cowper, F., son, cured, 212 
Cowper, Mrs. E., testimony of, 

222, 230 
Crane, Mariah L., cure of, 34 
Crane, L. M., Jr., testimony of, 

Crane, J. H., testimony of, 287 
Crisp, Mrs. Anne, cure of, 212 
Cristy, Lizzie, cure of, 274-5 
Cristy, Moses, testimony of, 

125-6 
Crosby, Ellery C, cure of, 38 
Crosby, Mrs. S. C, cure of, 38 
Culpeper Co., Ya., case m, 159 
Culver, David, cure of, 152 
Cure d'Ars, the healer, 16, 252 
Current from healer's head, 161 
Currier, Mrs. Lottie, cure of, 90 
Curtis, Georgia, cure of, 103 
Curtis, Jotham C, cure of, 284 



Cushing, H. F., cure cf, 3S 
Cypnan, St., quoted, 11 

Dakin, Mr., cure of, 135 
Damianus, the Martyr, a healer, 

15 
Danbury, Ct., case at, 159-60 
Danforth, Ozias C,cure of, 171 
Danks, Amanda, cure of, 87 
Dannaker, Lucy R., affidavit 

of, 71. 
Davenport, Iowa, visit to, 294 
Davidson, Wm. O., cure of, 279 
Davies, T. C, testimony of, 252 
Davis, Alice, cure of, 85 
Davis, Caro.ine F., cure of, 292 
Davis, Catherine, cure of, Si 
Davis, Gen. E. C, cure of, 285 
Davis, Elizabeth H., affidavit 

of, 72 
Davis, Mrs. Henrietta, cure of, 

90 
Davis, Jefferey, cure of, 220 
Davis, James, cure of, 232 
Davis, Merwin, W., cure of, 82 
Davis, Minnie S-, cure of, 83 
Davis, S. A., Rev., testimony 

of, 83, 84 
Da-vis, Marv, Mrs., cure of, 86 
Daw, N. F', 26S 
Day, Elihu B., cure of, 82 
Dead, raising the, 15S, 162, 302 
Deafness cured, 34, 49, 50, 63, 

90, 99, 108, 11S, 121, 137, 

168, 172, 178, 179, 214, 232, 

237, 245, 240, 24S, 2S2, 284 
Deaf and dumb, 133, 247 
Dean, Ida, cure of, 99 
Death, proof of, wanting, 303-6 
Dementia cured, 122, 
Denton, John Q., cure of, 279 
Detonation hea-d, 171 
Devil, the, gets the credit, 200, 

203, 
Dewolf, Lewis, cure of, S9 
Dewsbury, Wm., healing of, 20 
Diabetes cured, 66, 
Diarrhoea, chronic, cured, 32, 68, 

122 
Dike, S. C, cure of, 2S0 
Diseases, originate in spiritual 

forces, 41, 270 
Dislocated shoulder cured, 99 
Dodworth's Hall, address and 

healing in, 111-118 
Donchue, John, affidavit of, 65 
Dorset, Vt., healing at, 150 
Douglas, Mrs. R., cure of, 34 
Dorcas, case cf, 305 
Dow, Helen M., cure of, 89 
Draper, John, case of, 249 
Dropsy cured, 65, 73, 90, 121, 

221, 276 
Drummond, Mary E., 148 
Duffy, Surgeon, testimony, 58 
Durham, Marv Ann, cure of, 85 
Dunklee, Mrs^ A. M., 89 
Dunn, Chas. W., cure cf, 49 
Dutnall. Mr., daughter cured, 241 
Duval, W. H., finger cured, 130 
Dyer, John, cure of, 240 
Dysentery cured, 99 
Dyspepsia cured, 64, 66, S6. 87, 



INDEX. 



317 



80, 121, 122, 187, 276, 280, 

285 

Easman, Vm., cure of, 49 
East Concord, Vt., case at, 154 
Eczema, cured, 228 
Eddy, Mrs. G. W., cure of, 83 
Edward the Confessor, a healer, 

X S . . 

Egypt, ancient, healing in, 191 

Elisason, Wm. P , testimony of, 

'59 
Elizabeth, St., a healer, 15 
Elliott, Dr., cure of, 142-3 
Ellis, John, case of, 245 
Ellis, Mrs. F. A., cure of, 282 
Ellis, Ralph S., cure of, 121 
Elmira, N. Y., cures in, 131, 294 
England, visits to, 206, 294 
England, observations on, 267-9 
England, Mrs. J.W., cure of, 48 
English Church, healing in, 18, 19 
English views, 253 
Ennemoser, Dr., quoted, 15 
Ensalmadores of Spain, healers, 

. >5 
Epilepsy cured, 49, 69, 85, 99, 

276, 279, 280, 286 
Erysipelatous ulcer cured, 67 
Erysipelas cured, 279, 287 
Estes, Mrs. James, cure of, 177 
Europe, the Healer in, 206 
Eusebius quoted, 1 1 
Eutychus, case of, 305 
Evans, Henry, cure of, 233 
Evans, Dr. Wm., 268 
Evening Press, Hartford, quoted, 

«3 
Eyes, weak, cured, 40, 50, 86, 88, 

90, 164, 285 _ 
Eyes, inflammation of, cured, 34, 

69, IO7, 90, 94, J2I, 168 

Eyelids, paralyzed, cure of, 99 
Ezra, Mrs., cure of, 226 

Failures to cure, reason of, 41, 

42, 310, 312 
Faith, essential, 14, 41, 160, 166, 

192, 260 
Faith, power of, m, 193 

" as a curative agency, 308 
Fairchild, A'ex. , cure of, 35 
Fancourt, Miss, cure of, 24 
Farewell Soiree in London, 

261-5 
Farnsworth, Capt. Cole, cure 

of, 93, 285 
Farren, C. S., cure of, 78 
Farren, John S., cure of, 86 
Fassaur, Mrs. C. H., 89 
Fever and ague cured, 121, 122 
Fever sore cured, 35, 50 
Feet turned in, straightened, 

116, 296 
Field, Hattie, cure of, 87 
Fifield, James N., cure of, 122 
Fijii Islanders practice healing, 

192 
Finney, Pres't., testimony of, 

. 2 5 
Finney, Hon. S. J., testimony 

of, 282 

Fistula cured, 229, 287 



Fisher, Mrs. John, cure of, 90 
Fisher, P. C, cure of, 121 
Fits cured, 222, 241 
Fitzgerald, Michael, cure of, 50 
Flagler, Mrs. Wm., cure of, 99 
Fletcher, healing by, 21, 22 
Fonda, Lucinda, cure of, 99 
Font, Joseph, cure of, 49 
Fontana, Kan., healing at, 151 
Forbush, Dr., cure of, 124 
Ford, Mrs. Sarah, cure of, 85 
Ford, Thomas P., cure of, 286 
Ford, Wm. A., child cured, 280 
Foreigners, testimony of, 181- 

188 
Forncrock, Mrs. Henry, 104 
Forrest, Edwin, 299 
Foster, Capt. David, cure of, 87 
Foster, H. R., cure of, 89 
Foster, Wm., jr., testimony of, 

148 
Fowler, Elizabeth, cure of, 226 
Fowler, John, M. D., 297 
Fowler, Mrs. Nancy J., 176 
Fox, George, a healer, 19-21, 

235 
Francesco, Mrs., cure of, 34 
Franklin, Benj., affidavit of, 52 
Freer, C. W., cure of, 49 
Fremont, Gen., 298 
French prophets, 235 
Fuller, Geo. A., statement of, 

153-4 
Fuller, Mrs. Margaret, cure of, 

133, 295-6 
Fulton, N. Y., healing at, 149 

Gage. Margaret, affidavit of, 70 
Gage, Wm., cure of, 214 
Gaines, Wm., cure of, 108 
Galhpolis, Ohio, cures at, 142-3 
Gall stones removed, 68, 276, 

279, 285, 287 
Gall stones, remedy for, 95 
Gansevoort, Mrs. John R., 99 
Gardner, Clara D., cure of, 90 
Garfield, Mrs., cure of, 141 
Gardiner Me., healing at, 149 
Gassner, the healer, 15, 16 
George, Annie, affidavit of, 69 
George, Mrs. Jennie, cure of, 49 
Gibbs, Arabella C, cure of, 90 
Gibson, Mrs. H. M., cure of, 38 
Gift of healing, object of, 8, 9 
Gilchrist, Eben., cure of, 280 
Gil man, Edward L., 280-1 
Gilmore, Frances, cure of, 34 
Glover, Geo., cure of, 56 
Glover, Sarah C, affidavit of, 

62 
God the source of healing pow- 
er, 197, 203 
God is love, 253 
God is spirit, 254 
Goitre, cure of, 33, 45, 280 
" Golden Gate," healing on 

board of, 31 
Good and Evil, 259 
Good-will, necessity of, 313 
Goodwin, Father, cure of, 80 
Goodwin, Elizabeth, cure of, 87 
Gordon, Robert, cure of, 99 
Gould, Mrs. Laura M., 108 



Gould. Mrs. Martha G., 89 
Gould, Wm., H., statement of, 

108 
Gout cured, 151, 121, 287 
Gouverneur, N. Y., healing at, 

141-2 
Grant, Thomas, testimony of, 

241 
Gravel cured, 276 
Graves, Mrs. Elizabeth, 177 
Greatrakes, Valentine, the heal- 
er, 18 
Greaves, M., healing by, 25 
Greek Church, healing in, 13 
Greece, Ancient, healing in, 191 
Greeley, Horace, 298 
Greenfield, Ms., cures at, 145 
Gregory, Thanmaturgus, 12 
Grew, Mr., case of, 247 
Gridley, E. R., statement of, 

106 
Groat, Cornelia A., cure of, 98 
Grosclaude, Mrs. F., 108 
Grosclaude, F., statement of, 

108 
Guild, Mrs. M. G.. cure of, 276 
Guilford, N. H., case at, 153 

Hadrian, Emperor, a healer, 191 
Hagenkemp, Mrs., daughter 

cured, 287 
Halhead, Miles, cure of, 20 
Hackett, Clarissa, cure of, 100 
Halderman, Mrs. Judge, 137 
Halifax, Eng., visit to, 243 
Hall, Agnes M., cura of, 50 
Hall, Ann, cure of, 141 
Hall, B., jr., cure of, 141 
Hall, Mrs. Climena, 141 
Hall, Cyrus D., cure of, 88 
Hall, Elizabeth, affidavit of, 71 
Hall, S. C, remarks by, 211 
Hall, John L., affidavit of, 74 
Hall, Matilda, cure of, 229 
Ham, Nathaniel, cure of, 176 
Hammett, Mrs. Chas. R., 279 
Hammond, Mrs. C. B. C, 32 
Hammond, Elder, cure by, 23 
Hammond, J. P., child cured, 

279 
Harrison, W. H., 268 
Harrington, Mrs. Sarah, 285 
Harris, Hon. D. L., 293 
Hart, Sarah, cure of, 104 
Hartford, Ct., visit to, 84 
Hartford Times quoted, 79, 84 
Hartford Ev, Press quoted, 83 
Harthan, Amanda, cure of, 90 
Hartkoff, Wm., cure of, 50 
Harton, Mrs. M. A., 285 
Hartwell, Lucy, cure of, 122 
Harty, Frances, cure of, 35 
Haskell, Benj., cure of, 82 
Haskell, Mrs. George E., 280 
Hatch, James, cure of, 285 
Havana, Cuba, healing in, 106 
Haven, R, H., affidavit of, 51 
Hawks, Dixenia S., cure of, 89 
Hay, Andrew J., affidavit of, 60 
Hay, Dr. C. D., testimony of, 

126 
Hayward, Dr. A. S., statement 

of, 147 



3i3 



INDEX. 



Hay-ward, Mrs. J. H., 279 
Haywood, Elijah, B., S7 
Hazard, Thos. R., quoted, 157 
Healer, how to become a, 114, 

166 
Healing at a distance, 139-154, 

16S, 172, 188, 2S7 

by means of garments, 113, 

142-3, 230 

by a fragment of cloth, 143 

in Primitive Christian Ch., 

7, 10, 12 

in Syrian and Greek Ch's., 

Ji 13- 

in the Roman Church, 13-16 

in the Protestant Church, 

16-26 

in the English Church, jS, 

19 

among the Quakers, 19-21 

among the Slethodists, 21, 

22 

among the Shakers, 22-24 

among the " Heathen," 

190-192 

Power not monopolized, iq2 

Power dependent on condi- 
tions, 366 

Power, philosophy of, 40, 

204 

Power, amenable to law, 

3r4 

Power, wonderful displays 

of, 175 

Power, how supplied, 42 

force inexhaustible, 43 

one's self, 43 

Power, nature of, 111-113, 

167 

" gift " enjoyed by the more 

Spiritual sects, 19 

how related to Spiritualism, 

1S9-199 

in the name of God, 257 

in the name of Jesus, 258 

taught by a Spirit, 195 
Health Maxims, 95 
Health contagious, 260 
Heart Disease cured, 34, 49, 66, 

82, 86, 89, 121, 122, 179, 187, 

233, 240, 27^, 2S0, 285, 2S6 
H elf rich, Mrs. Rebecca, 107 
Hemorrhage of lungs cured, 86, 

236 
Hemorrhoid, cured, 87 
Herald, N. Y., testimony of, 44 
Herald, Providence, quoted, 14S 
Herbert, John, affidavit of, 63 
Heresey, P., cure of, 49 
Hernia cured, 90 
Herring, Mrs. Margaret, 49 
Herwitz, Louis, cure of, 121 
Hess, Mrs. Alexander, 99 
Hibbard, Jas. H., affidavit of, 

60 
Higgins, Mrs. S., cure of, 49 
Hildegarde, St., a healer, 14, 15 
Hill, Mrs., cure of, 220 
Hill, Austin A., reminiscences, 

29*, 3oi 
Hinsdale, Mrs. P. B., 86 
Hinsey, Sarah, cure of, 34 
Hid disease cured, 34, 35, 38, 



49, 54,69. 71, 7 S, S6, S7, 88, 

176, 276, 279, 2S4, 2S6 
Hip, dislocated, cured, 220 
Hocknell, Elder, cure by, 23 
Hodges, Mrs., case of, 241 
Hodges, Libbie, cure cf, 85 
Holbrook, Mrs. Adelaide, 279 
Holcomb, Mrs. Edgar, 89 
Hollis. D. B.. cure of, 276 
Hooker, Henry, cure of, 76 
Hope, as a curative agency, 309, 

310 
Hopkins, Mrs., cure of, 160-1 
Hopper, Sam' J, chLd cured, 113 
Horr, Mrs. Anna, cure of, 49 
Horse cured cf staggers, 256 
Horton, Mrs. S. G.'s son cured, 

34 
Hotchkiss, Martha, cure of, 78 
Hotchkiss, Nelson, So 
Hot water as a remedy, 92 
Hough, Mrs. Jane A., 86 
Houston, Mrs. W. P., 90 
Howard, Geo. H., cure of, 87 
Howitt, Wm , quoted, 10-25, 

190-192 
Hubbard, Amanda M., cure of, 

299 
Hubbard, John, cure of, 2 So 
Hubbard, Mr., cure of, 213 
Hubbell, Mrs. Fred'k, 99, 106 
Huckle, George, cure of, 227 
Hughes, Susan, cure of, 99 
Huguenots, 235 
Hunt, Josiah, cure of, 2S0 
Hunt, Josiah T., cure of, 90 
Hutchins, Sarah, cure of, 287 
Hutchinson, John, cure of, 33 
Hyde, Albert, cure of, 7S, 86 
Hyde, P. R., affidavit of, 6S 

1 Inquirer, Philada., quoted, 57 

j Innocentia, cure of, 12 
Insanity cured, 35, 93, 186, 250, 

2S4 
Irensus quoted, 10, n 
Irvingites, cures among, 24 

Jackson, Mrs. Andrew, 280 
J aims' daughter, case of, 303 
Jambiicus, a healer, 192, 
Jameson, Annie, cure of, 285 
Jaundice cured, 99, 276, 279 
Jaw, stiffness of, cured, 50, 71 
Jay, John, cure of, 21 
Jesus, a healer, 5 
Jenken, H. D., cure of, 226, 262 
Jenks, Carrie, cure of, 90 
Jerome, St., quoted, 12 
Jewett, Mrs. S. J., cure of, 276 
Johnson, Catherine, cure cf, 33 
Johnson, Geo. R., affidavit of, 69 
Johnson, John, cure of, 2S5 
Johnson, Wm. L., daughter 

cured, 153 
Jolly, Samuel, child of, cured, 

121 
Jones, Mrs. H. K., cure of, 82 
Jones, Mrs. Mary, cure of, 82 
Jones, Mrs. Martha S., 89 
Jones, John, 263 
Jordan, Wm. A., cure of, 87 
Jury, Mrs., cure of, 241 



Justin Martyr, testimony cf, 10 
Justinian, the Emperor, healed, 



Keith, Elizabeth, cure of, 85 
Keith, Wm., cure of, S5 
Kelley, Hugh E., cure of. 123 
Kelley, Mrs. Mary F., cure cf, 

121 
Kelly, Peter, cure of, 50 
Kelsey, Zebulon S., cure cf, SS 
Kemp, Ajice, cure cf, 241 
Kendalls Miils, Me., case at, 147 
Kentfield, Palman, cure of, 98 
Kibbee, Sarah, healing of. 22 
Kidd, Mrs. M. J.'s daughter, 

cure of, 99 
Kidnevs, disease of, cured, 276, 

279, 285, 2S6 
Kimball, Lulu, cure of, 2S5 
King, Mrs. Mary A., cure of, 49 
King, Esther, case of, 241 
King, Wm., cure of, 221 
Kings of England cure kings' 

evil, 15 
Kmgdon, Eddie, cure of, 135 
Kingston - on - Thames, healing 

at, 249 
Kluge quoted, 191 
Knight, John, cure of, 187 

La Conner, W. T., cure at, 152 

Lacy, F. G., cure of, 100 

Lambert, Mr., child cured, 276 

Lameness cured, '5, 3S, 49, 50, 

5', 52, 61, 62.67,78, 82,85, 

86, 87, 8S, 89, 90, 9S, 99, 100, 

10S, 115, 116, 122, 130, 135, 

16S, 171, 176, 177, 180, 187, 

213, 216, 226, 227, 229, 233, 

240, 24S, 249, 276, 277, 279, 

280, 2S2, 2S4, 285 
Landfair, Russell, cure of, 85 
Lane, Mr., cure of, in the street. 

129 
Langdon, Libbie, cure of, 294 
Large, Mr. N., testimony of, 242 
Lawrence, Minnie, cure of, 280 
Lawrence, Mrs. Mary, cure of, 

daughter, 1S0 
Lazarus, case of, 304 
Leavenworth, Ks., cures in, 137 
Ledgard, Dr., cure of, 31 
Lee, Mother Ann, 23 
Lee, Elder Wm., healing by, 23 
Lee, Miss, cure of, 226 
Lee, Mrs. Wm. W., cure of, 89 
Lehan, John, cure of, 85 
Lenton, Charles, cure of, 215 
Leonard, Jonathan J., 172 
Leprosy cured, 276 
Letters, Magnetized, healing by, 

140 
Lewis, J. F., cure of, 7S 
Lincoln, assassination of, 295 
Linton, R., testimony of. 270-1 
Listnor, Mrs. P., cure of, 123 
Literary Album quoted, 29 
Litton, Mrs., cure of, 34 
Liver complaint cured, 64. 66, 

68, 89, 121, 187, 285, 2S7 
Liver swollen, cured, 35, 90, 2S5 
Liverpool, Eng., arrival in, 206 



INDEX. 



319 



Liverpool, Eng., healing in, 251 
Livingston, Mrs. Silvia, 121 
Livy quoted, 191 
-Lockjaw cured, 87 
Logan, Samuel B., son cured, 

2 79 
Lockwood, Mrs, S. H., affidavit 

of, 55. . 
London, visit to, 206 
London, reception in, 207 
London, healing in, 213-234 
London, farewell to, 261-5 
Longbottom, John, testimony 

cf, 245 
Longbottom, Wm., case of, 245 
Longstreet, John D., cure of, 61 
Longstreet, John, cure of, 61 
Lord, Miss Mary, cure of, 56 
Lord, W. B., cure of, 129 
Louisville, Ky., visit 10,287 
Love, essential in the healer, 313 
Lunarites, 225, 246 
Lunatic women cured, 186-7 
Lung disease cured, 85, 98, 233, 

286 
Lumber abscess cured, 282 
Luther, Martin, a healer, 17 
Luthrop, Mrs. Wm., care of, 85 
Luxmore, Mr., 26 r 
Lyon, Marietta, cure of, 86 
Lyon, Mrs. M., cure of, 279 
Lyon. Wm., cure of, 286 
Lyons, Edward, cure of, 121 

Mack, George A., cure of, 87 
Madison, John, cure of, 280 
Magee, John, cure of, 294 
Magnetism, 170, 259 
Magnetized letters, healing by, 

140 
Maidstone Telegraph quoted, 

241 
Mallory, Jessie, cure of, 78 
Manchester ( Eng. ) Examiner 

quoted, 251 
Mankin, Wm. V., affidavit of. 63 
Mann, Dist. Attorney, speech 

of, 58 
Manning, Peter, affidavit of, 6t 
Martella, Sabra, cure of, 174-5 
Mark Twain, 294 
Marston, Simon, cure of, 276 
Martin, B. T., testimony of, 17S 
Martin, David E., cure of, 276 
Margaret, St., a healer, 15 
Martin, Mrs., cure of, 240 
Mastin, Clark, affidavit of, 54 
Matchet, Mrs. M., cure of, 49 
Mathews, Miss, cure of, 177 
Maxims, Health, 95 
Maxwell, Mrs., cure of, 25 
May, Mrs. James, cure of, 99 
Maynard. J., testimony of, 232 
Mayhew, John, testimony of, 74 
Maxon, J. H., child cured, 279 
McAden, Irene, cure of, 287 
McCall, John, cure of, 122 
McCormick, of the Reaper, 295 
McClmtock, Dr., his testimony, 

58 
McCoy, Alexander, statement 

of, 131 
McCrae, Mrs. William, 89 



McKenna, James, cure of, 122 
McKenzie, Alfred, cure of, 276 
McManus, Thomas, affidavit of, 

68 
Meader, Ella, cure of, 177 
Medicines injurous, 94 
Medium and Daybreak quoted, 

207, etc., 238, 253-271 
Medina, Michael, a healer, 15 
Melanthon, Philip, restoration, 

of, 17 
Memory restored, 244 
Merwin, Celia, cure of, 86 
Mesmerism inadequate, 252 
Methodists, healing among, 21, 

22 
Meyer, Richard, cure of, 20 
Miami Gazette quoted, 135 
Miles, Hannah, affidavit of, 66 
Miller, Mrs., cure of, 25 
Miller, Elizabeth, cure of, 33 
Mills, Chas. S., cure cf, 121 
Miracles not claimed by Dr. N., 

56, 25 1. 259, 261 
Miracles, Romanist, when cred- 
ible, 13 
Miracles, what they prove, 14 
Mitchel, John, cure of, 287 
Mix, Mrs. Wm., cure of, 86 
Morgan, Curtis C, cure of, 99 
Monk, Miss, cure of, 220 
Morris, Mrs., Elizabeth, 98 
Morris, Mr., cure of, 239 
Moseman, Miss, a healer, 26 
Mosier, H. P., cure of, 285 
Mouravieff, testimony of, 13 
Mt. Washington, Ky., cure at, 

146 
Muench, C. F., affidavit of, 62 
Mullery, Mrs. James' child, 86 
Mycomus, restoration of, 17 
Myers, W. F., cure of, 285 



Nador, Caroline, cure of, 90 
Name of patient, pre-sensed, 104 
National Union, Saugerties, 

quoted, 122 
" Nature and the Supernatural " 

quoted, 25, 235 
Nearsightedness cured, 35 
Nellis, Sanford P., cure of, 99 
Nervous debility cured, 72, 87, 

249 
Nervous excitability cured, 89, 

152, 288 
New Haven, Ct., cures in, 76-S4 
New Haven Courier, testimony 

of, 76, 77 . 
New Haven Times, testimony 

of, 82 
Newenham, Lady Helena, 

daughter cured, 212 
Newman, Mrs. J. H., cure of, 

49 r • • 

New Bedford, healing in, 187-8 
New Brunswick, N. J., cure at, 

160 
New Orleans, healing in, 107-8 
New Orleans Times quoted, 164 
Neuralgia, cures of, 49, 50, 54, 

89, 99, i2i, 132, 181-2, 230, 

250, 281, 285 



Newport, R. I., healer in, 155, 

etc. 
Newport Daily News, testimony 

of, 155-6 
Newport Mercury quoted, 156 
New York Literary Album 

quoted, 29 
New York city, healing in, 44 to 

55, in to 126, 287, 298 
New York Herald quoted, 44 
New York Dispatch quoted, 

Il8-i22, 125 

New York Tribune quoted, 117, 

123 
Nichols, S. B., testimony of, ri8 
Nickerson, Ellen, cure of, 2S5 
Noaell, Nella, cure of, 99 
Noe, Mrs. Thomas, cure of, 34 
North Wilts Herald quoted, i8r, 

234, 268 
Norton, Julius, cure of, 164-5 
Norton, Zeno, cure of, 121 
Nose, excrescence on, cured, 82 
Nottingham, Eng., healing at, 

249 
Nutt, Isaiah, his son healed, 

159-60 

O'Brien, Jeremiah, cure of, 38 
Odekirk, Clara W., cure of, 50 
Odilia, St., a healer, 15 
Oldham, H., cure of, 34 
Oliver, P. S., testimony of, 152 
Optic Nerve, debility of, cured, 

60 
Optic Nerve, neuralgia of,cured, 

281 
Origen quoted, 12 
Orr, Geo. W., cure of, 49 
Ovarian tumor cured, 34, 50, 

88, 89, 90, 276, 279 
Owen, MaryM., affidavit, 53 

Page, Sarah F., cure of, 2 So 
Patrick, St., a healer, 15 
Paralysis, cures of, 33, 34, 36, 
• 37, 48, 49, 62, 71, 73, 82,86, 
87, 89, 90, 99, 106, 122, 130, 
137, 152, 161, 164, 173, 183, 
187, 213, 215, 216, 221, 231, 
279, 2S0, 285, 286, 287 
Parker, Harriet, cure of, 78, 86 
Parkhurst, Mary, cure of, 115 
Partridge, Chas., remarks by, 

in 
Partridge, Chas., cure of, 123-4 
Partridge, Josiah, daughter 

cured, 124 
Paxon, J. L., affidavit of, 68 
Peacock, Harriet J., cure of, 99 
Pearson, John, cure of, 214 
Peck, Abigail, cure of, 87 
Peckham, Perry M., 201 
Peebles, J. M., quoted, 3, 192, 

209 
Penfold, Eliza, testimony of, 

250 
Pen Yan, N. Y., healing at, 152 
Percy, George W., cure of, 279 
Perry, Marvin W., cure of, 87 
Personal characteristics, 299, 

300 
Phelps, Amelia S., cure of, 90 



120 



INDEX. 



Phelps, Prcf. E. C, testimony 
of, 2S9, 290 

Piuladel::.. :.. : v.rts a, : : 
Philadelphia Inquirer quoted, 

57 
Philip, I., a healer, :: 
Philosophy cf Healing Power, 

40. 257 
Pike. Willie Marshall, 27s 
Pilot, Mississippi, cured, 297 
Pinkard, John, cure cf. 249 
Plaisted, Frank, child cured, 

149 
Piatt. Rev. S. H., cure of, 26 
Plotinus, a healer. 1 : 
Poland, Archer B., cure of, 279 
Polypus, cure cf, 34, 4S-9 
Pomeroy, Mrs. Caroline, 90 
Porter, Mrs. David, cure of, 177 
Portland, Me., healing in, 179, 

297, 298 
Portland Transcript, testimony 

of. 179 
Pratt, Mrs. Luke, cure of, 89 
Pray. Issac, cure of, 176 
Prayer, use of, 309 
Prentiss, R. S., cure of. 50 
Price. Mrs. A. A., cure of, 82 
Price, Mrs. Laura Ann, 99 
Pr::r5s:r; :: reliricr. aarealed 

to, 155-163 
Prolapsus Uteri, cures of, 45, 

3:. ;:. S3 
Prosecution in Philadelphia, 57 
Protestant Church, healing in, 

::-c: 
Protestant theory, 7, 8, 26 
Providence, R. I., healing in, 

165-175 
Providence Morning Herald 

quoted, 148 
Providence Press quoted, 165, 

169 
Psychopathic Institution, 271 
Public career, beginning cf, 33 
Pulsford, George, cure of, 214 
Purington, Mrs. Becj., 90 
Putnam, Sarah H., cure of, 145 
Pyrrhus, King, a healer, 191 

Quakers, healing among, 19-21 
Quaint scenes, 229 

Raising the Dead, 302-7 
Rand. Mrs., daughter cured, 81 
Ransom. Mrs. John, 276 
Ranville, Frank L.. 279 
Ray. Mrs. Cordelia R.. 152-3 
Reanimation of corpses, 302-3 
Reception in London, 207 
Recor, Sarah H., cure of, 78 
Redding. Harriet, cure of, 22c 
Reed, C. H., cure of, 92 
Reilly, Hiram, cure of. 144 
Religio-Philosophical Journal 

quoted, 118 
Remington, Mrs. D. E., 88 
Reminiscences, 291 
Rer.de".".. Ad:., cure if. 2:2 
Return to America, 272 
Reynolds, Martha, cure of, 98 
Rheumatic fever cured, 196 
Rheumatism, cures of, 25, 33, 



"-• 36, 49? 5°s 62 » 6 3- 67, 78, 
80, 8i, 86, 87, 98, 99, 108, 
121, 122, 128, 131. 132. 135, 
143, 145, 149, 172, 179,201, 

21;. 220. 221, 240, 245. 249, 

276, 279, 2S5, 286, 2S7 
Rice, Daniel, cure of, 34 
Richards, G., cure cf, 215, 231 
Richardson, Joseph, no 

i\::..'." :r. a. rve'uaace. 122 
Richter, a healer, 15 
Rickets. Mrs., cure of, 221 
Rider, Amasa, cure of, 89 
Rider. Martha, cure of, 50 
Ridgeway, Ks., cure at, 144 
Riley. Chides, cure ::'. 122 
Robinson, A. C., testimony of, 

Robinson, Mrs., cure of. 249 
Robinson, Geo. W., affidavit 

: :. : - 
R: Chester. X. Y., healing in, 

98-101, 294 
Rcchescer Evening Express 

quoted, 100 
R:ci.es:er L'eraccra: cucaea. 

100 
Rogers, Hon. James, testimony 

of, 144 
Rogers, Mrs. E. F.. cure of, 130 
Rolls, Wm., cure of, 33 
Roman Church, healing in, 13- 

16 
Rome, Ancient, healing in, 191 
R: cc. T:el H.. cere ::'. Si 
Root, Mr., cure of, 292 
R: ;d. Geitae. cere ::'. 27; 
Rowe, Ada, cure of. 280 
Rowe, Mrs., case of, 241 
Rowlee, Mrs. N., cure of, 14S-9 
Rcwlee. Nathan, statement of, 

i49 
Rowse. Gardner, affidavit of, 51 
Rudderforth, Thomas, state- 
ment of, 151 
Rumer. Marv A., certificate of, 

65 
Ruptured muscles cured, 124. 

216 
Rassel • Ada—, :ase ::'. 2^: 
Russeli, G. J., testimony of, 

2:: 
Russell. Mrs. H., cure of, 154 
Russell, Minnie, cure of, 288 

; c:: arcea:: 1 a. 1 . . healiac; ir.. 

--— 
Satrar. i\frs.. case of, 244 
Salamanca, child of, 15 
Salem, Ms. , healing in, 166-S, 

299 
Salmadores of Spain, healers, 

15 
Salt Lake City, cures at, 147-8 
Salt Lake Tribune quoted, 147 
Sanderson, Ella, cure of, 280 
San Francisco, healing in, 283-5 
San Francisco Ev. Post quoted. 

283 

Satan credited wcth healing 

power. 202, 203. 251 
Satterlee. Mrs. Hulca C, 99 
Savage. W. M., 297 



Savannah, Ga., healing in, 10S-9 
Saviors, aJ may be, 264 
Savoy, Lewis, cure of, 85 
Sawyer, C. F.. cure of, 279 
Sawyer, Mary A., testimony of, 

Saver, \\ m., cure cf, 221 
Scald-head cured, 70,279 
Schroeder. Charles, son cf, 

cured, 160 
Sciatica cured, 38, 86, 87, 245, 

279, 280 
Scott, George D., cure of, 89 
5c:::. J are. care ::'. ; 5 
Scott, Mary E., cure of, 86 
Scotus Erigena, a healer, 15 
Scrofula cured, 99, 100, 124, 

153^177, 1S7, 276. 2 i; 
Sears, A_~ :ra. cure of, 99 
Sectarian narrowness, 200 
Seville, Ohio, cure at, 152 
Shakers, healing among, 22-24 
Shakers, visit to, 293 
Sharp, Mrs. Jacob, cure of, 49 
Shaw, Miss, cure of, 226 
Shelton, Mrs. Almira, 88 
Sherburne, Helen C, 277-8 
Sherman, Mrs., cure of, 26 
5 her— arc. Mr.. :: Sherman 

House, cure of, 295 
Sherman, Robert, testimony of, 

2-5 
Shorter, Thomas, remarks by, 

208-9, 261-3 
Shorter, Thomas, acknowledg- 
ment to, 26S 
Sibley, Charles, case of, 171 
Simmonds, Thomas, 240 
Simmons, Mrs. Joseph, 148 
Simmons, Caroline, 241 
Simmons, Mr., cure of, 284 
Simmonson, Lott, cure of, 122 
Skepticism has disadvantages, 

310,311 
Slayton, Mrs. Chas., cure of, 83 
51ee, Mrs. Sarah, cure of, 50 
Sleeping with hands to the head, 

96 
s.car.e. T; seech >\ . . 2-; 
Smeaton, Mrs. Wm. Henry. 122 
Smith, G. Morgan, cure of, 87 
Smith, Gerritt, 298 
Smith, Mrs. Harris, cure of, 86 
Smith, Mrs. Leverett, 90 
Smith, Mrs. Rebecca E., 173 
Srr. : .:k. Sidney, care :'. 2:5.2:6 
Smith, the razor-strop man, 298 
S.r.ki.er. 5a— .ae. T.. 2-: 
Snow. Mrs. Nancy, cure of, 276 
Softening of brain cured, 285 
5:a:er::a. Set la 5.. arad:.v:c cf, 

75 
Somerville, Ms., remarkable 

cure at, 28 r 
Southwick, Elizabeth S., affi- 
davit cf, 39 
Spangler, Wm., cure of, 285 
Spasms cured, 90, 154. 175 
Spencer. Phebe, cure of, 23 
Sperry. Wrn. D., cure of, 121 
5a:re : " : a ■ : •-:: 
Spinal curvature, 99, 177, 214, 
279 



INDEX. 



3.21 



Spinal injury cured, 2rs, 240, 

_ 276, 277, 295 
Spinal disease cured, 34, 35, 39, 
49, 60, 61, 62,64, 65,66, 72, 
73, 74, 75, 73> 81, 85,86,87, 
89, 90, 98, 100, 108, i2i, 
122, 125, 130, 133, 187/241, 
249, 276, 280, 286, 287, 288, 
292, 294. 299 
Spiritual Magazine quoted, 238 
Spirits, healing power attribut- 
ed to, 113, 192-3, 197, 203, 
282 
Spirit-presence recognized, 117, 
199, 203, 244 
. Spiritualism, Modern, 189-199, 
282 
Spleen, enlarged, cured, 121 
Spleen, function of, 43 
Springfield, Ms., visit to, 88, 

.293 
Springfield, 111., visit to, 295 
Stacy, Mrs. Jas. E., cure of, 35 
Stammering cured, 87, 241 
Steadman, Mrs. L. L., 90 
Steele, Sophia, cure of, 89 
Stebbins, Mrs., cure of, 36 
Stevens, Mrs. Sam'], cure of, 38 
Stockwell, Mrs. D. B., 86 
Stiff hand and fingers cured, 

121, 177 
Stiff knee cured, 99, 215, 237, 

238, 240 
Stiff neck cured, 87, 160 
Stiles, Reuben T., cure of, 99 
Stone, Israel, cure of, 121 
Stone, Dr., of Westbrook, Me., 

116, 296 
Stowe, Mrs. Anna, cure of, 86 
Stradling, Moses, affidavit of, 

.7 1 
Stringham, Mrs. J. B., 49 
St. Louis, Mo., cures at, 145, 

287 
St. Louis Democrat quoted, 

287 
St. Vitus' dance cured, 87, 89, 
, 90, 124, 279, 280, 281;, 286, 

287 . 
Strut, Miss, cure of, 232 
Sutherland, Annie, cure of, 285 
Sutton, James, cure of, 249 
Swan, Dr. G., testimony of, 142 
Swansea, Ms., healing at, 148 
Sweeney, James, affidavit of, 59 
Swindon, Eng., visit to, 234 
Syrian Church, healing in, 13 

Tacitus, testimony of, 191 
Tallman, Elnathan S., affidavit 

of, 66 
Tape worm removed, 123 
Taylor, Alice, affidavit of, 64 
Taylor, D. G., cure of, 61, 114 
Taylor, John A., cure of, 122 
Taylor, Mrs. George, 90 
Taylor, Mrs. N. B., cure of, 81 
Tebb, Mr., remarks by, 209 
Tebb, Mr., acknowledgment to, 

268 
Teel, Ella, cure of, 276 
Templar, Mr., cure of, 220 
Tertullian quoted, 11 



Tesori, Henry, cure of, 226 
Tetter cured. 73 
Thayer, G. W., cure of, 89 
Thomas, Mrs. C. P., statement 

of, 136 
Thompson, Edwin W., 280 
Tibbetts, Wm. B., cure of, 279 
Tic, see Neuralgia 
Tierman, F. A., cure of, 285 
Times, Hartford, quoted, 79 
Tingley, Mary B., cure of, 87 
Tioga Democrat quoted, 101, 

131 

Titcomb, Mrs. L. F., cure of, 89 
Toledo, Ohio, visit to, 295 
Toledo Record quoted, 133 
Tomlinson, Hannrh, 2J.5 
Toohy, Mrs. Wm.. cure of, 292 
Topeka State Record quoted, 

i37 
Towns, Mrs., cure of, 276 
Treat, Mrs. H., cure of, 81 
Treat, Truman, cure of, 23 
Tribune, N. Y., testimony of, 

117 • 
Trist, Hon. Nicholas P., note 

from, 74 
Troy, N. Y., cures in, 130-13 1 
Troy Press quoted, 130 
Truckwell, Mrs. Margaret, 108 
Tumor, cures of, 34, 78, 86, 87, 
88, 90, 91, 100, 126, 129, 
177, 186, 187, 226, 228, 232, 
248, 262, 276, 279, 284, 286, 

293 
Turner, Capt. H. P., 276 
Turner, Jonathan, cure of, 23 
Turquand, Sarah E., affidavit 

of, 70 
Tuttle, Hon. Chas. E., 285 
Tuttle, Wm. C., cure of, 171 
Twort, M. A., cure of, 239 
Tyndale, Hon. Sharon, 295 

Ulcer cured, 34, 78, 86, 121, 151 
Upton, Nathan, 297 
Utica, N. Y., visit to, 127 
Utica Observer quoted, 127-129 

Vaccination poisoning, case of, 

cured, 82 
Vaccination, dangerous, 95 
Van Buren, Henry, cure of, 131 
Van Horn, Chas. C, affidavit 

of, 70 
Vanhouten, Geo. F., son, cure 

of, 121 
Vanhouten, Mrs. C 12 1 
Van Meter, Rev. W. C, cure 

of, 215, 222, 262 
Van Wart, Wm., cure of, 49 
Van Wart, Wm. H., affidavit 

.of, 54 
Varicose veins cured, 99, 186, 

285 
Vespasian, the Emperor, a heal- 
er, 191 
Vicar, wife of, cured, 227 
Vincent, C. B., affidavit of, 52 
Vincent, Eliza, cure of, 136 
Viner, Henry, testimony of, 143 
Vision, singular, 143 
Vision, imperfect, cured, 226 



Visit to Dr. Newton, 230 
Voice restored, 34, 38, 49, 50, 
64, 66, 76, 78, 81,86,87,88, 
89, 98, 99, 104, 115, 145, 
166, 177, 187, 230, 248, 276, 
280 
Wadsworth, Mrs. S. E., 38 
Wait, Clark J., cure of, 121 
Wait, Jennie A., cure of, 292 
Waland, Mrs., cure of, 221 
Walker, Asa T., cure of, 276 
Walker, Mary, cure of, 245 
Walker, Mr., 297 
Wallace W., cure of, 104, 215 
Wallace, Mrs. Elizabeth, 35 
Wallace, Mrs. Wm.,cure of, 276 
Walters, Minnie H., cure of, 26 
Waltham, Ms., cure at, 145 
Walter, CM., certificate of, 66 
Warburton, Bishop, 21 
Ward, Alice M., cure of, 177 
Ward, Mary, cure of, 50 
Waring, Amos, cure of, 287 
Warner, Daniel, daughter cured, 

87 
Warner, Horace, cure of, 87 
Warner, John, F., affidavit of, 36 
Warner, Sam'l F., daughter 

cured, 87 
Warren, Herbert, cure of, 87 
Wason, James, 268 
Wason, Thos. W., cure of, 8S, 

91, 293 
Washington, D. C, visit to, 293 
Water, hot, use of, 92 
Water on the brain cured, 113 
Waterman, Lynd S., 276 
Waters, W. C, cure of, 86 
Waters, W. R., cure of, 240 
Wathen, Miss E. A., 215 
Wathen, Miss E. A., testimony 

of, 222, 230, 233 
Watson, Mary E., affidavit of, 60 
Watson, Mr., cure of, 213 
Watt, Thomas, case of, 104 
Watts, Mr., cure of, 213 
Way, Mrs. G., cure of, 215 
Webb, Elijah, case of, 249 
Webb, Jas. H., jr., cure of, 228 
Weber, J. B., testimony of, 275 
Weber, Mrs. J. B., cure of, 275 
Webster, Mrs. Martha, 284 
Wedding, Mrs. E., cure of, 146 
Wedding, J. H., statement of, 

146-7 
Wellman, Mrs. Mary W., 273 
Wells, R. G., cure of, 98, 132 
Wentworth, Mrs. Ellen, 86 
Wesley, John, a healer, 21 
West Jabez, cure of, 87 
Westervelt, Mrs. E., cure of, 50 
Weston, Alice, cure of, 82 
Wheaton, Noah, cure of, 22 
Wheeler, Cyrus, cure of, 287 
Whiffen, Collector, case of, 129 
White. Kate, cure of, 78, 88 
White, Tyler W., affidavit of, 67 
White, Wm., testimony of, joi 
White Wm., cure of, 249 
White Wm., acknowledgments 

to, 268 
White swelling cured, 177,284 
Whittaker, Mrs. H., cure of, 145 



322 



INDEX. 



Whitten, Arthur, testimony of, 

185-188 
Whittlesay, Hannah, cure of, Si 
Widow's son," case of, 304 
Wilcox, Amos A., cure of, 49 
Wilkinson, Mrs. H., cure of, 86 
Williams, Chas., cure of. 82 
Williams, Margaret B., cure of, 

121 
Williams, Wm., cure of, 285 
Willis, Dr. F. L. H., testimony 

of, 167 
Wilson, Anna, affidavit of , 66 
Winslow., Mrs., case of, 172 



Wise, Mrs., cure of, 38 
Withered hand cured, 1S3 
Woodburv, Alice J., affidavit of, 

64 
Wooderson, H., cure of, 228 
Woodworth, John^ cure of, 99 
Worcester, M., visit to, 294 
Worthen, Hon. A. H., 295 
Wright, Mrs. F. L., cure of, 83 
Wright, Isaac, cure of, 108 

Yeaton, Moses, cure of, 276 
Yeaw, Jesse L., cure of, 177 



Yeaw. Willie, cure of, 177 
Yellow fever cured, 31 
Yonkers-on-the-Hudson, locates 

in, 288 
Young, Mrs. E. A., cure of, 152- 
Young, Mrs. Sarah C, cure of, 

88 
Young, Rev. F. R., testimony 

of, 181-5, 2 3&~7« 250 
Young. Rev. F. R., courage of, 

268 
Young, Wm. A., affidavit of, 69 
Young, M. F., testimony of, 250 



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